Formation of nitrogen-containing metabolites from the main iridoids of Harpagophytum procumbens and H-zeyheri by human intestinal bacteria

The study of the metabolism of iridoid glycosides from Harpagophytum procum bens and Harpogophylum zeyheri by human intestinal bacteria, was realized i n order to elucidate compounds responsible for the pharmacological activiti es of Harpagophytum. Harpagide, harpagoside and 8-O-p-coumaroylharpagide we re transformed into the pyridine monoterpene alkaloid aucubinine B by human fecal flora and by bacteria isolated from this flora, Aucubinine B was als o prepared from harpagide, harpagoside and 8-O-p-coumaroylharpagide, by bet a-glucosidase in the presence of NH4+.