(+)-Verussurine, a new steroidal alkaloid from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum var. ussuriense and structure revision of (+)-verabenzoamine

Two minor steroidal alkaloids, 1 and 2, have been isolated from the roots a nd rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum var. ussuriense. Their structures have been determined by the use of spectral data as 7-O-acetyl-15-O-(2-methylbutyroyl )-3-O-veratroylgermine (1) and 15-O-(2-methylbutyroyl)-3-O-veratroylgermine (2). By spectral data comparison with verabenzoamine, the structure of the latter compound has been revised from the previously reported 7-O-acetyl-1 5-O-(2-methylbutyroyl)-3-O-veratroylgermine (1) to 15-O-(2-methylbutyroyl)- 3-O-veratroylgermine (2). Accordingly, alkaloid 1 [7-O-acetyl-15-O-(2-methy lbutyroyl)-3-O-veratroylgermine] must be new, and it was given the trivial name verussurine.