Droplet counter-current chromatography of indole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana hilariana

This paper reports the separation of the indole alkaloids from the benzene extract of the root barks of Tabernaemontana hilariana (Apocynaceae). The c rude alkaloid fraction was fractionated by droplet counter-current chromato graphy using a low polarity mixture (hexane:ethyl acetate:ethanol:water). N ine indole alkaloids (3-hydroxycoronaridine, coronaridine, voacangine, 3-(2 -oxopropyl) coronaridine, voacangine hydroxyindolenine, ibogamine, voacangi ne pseudoindoxyl, coronaridine pseudoindoxyl and tabernanthine) were identi fied using thin laver chromatography gas chromatography coupled with mass s pectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.