ANALYTICAL STUDY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF ORIPAVINE FROM PAPAVER-SOMNIFERUM L

After the isolation of an alkaloid from Papaver somniferum L. var. nig rum, its structure was determined by means of IR, UV and H-1 and C-13- NMR spectroscopy, and MS, together with a selective O-methylation assa y. The alkaloid was identified as 6,7,8,14-tetrahydro-4,5-epoxy-6-meth oxy-17-methyl morphinan-3-ol (oripavine). The analgesic activity of th is compound was studied in the mouse using the hot plate technique aft er i.p. drug administration. The effect lasted 60-90 min. The percenta ge analgesic effect (% A) and lethal doses (LD50) are presented. Oripa vine appears to have a similar analgesic potency to morphine, but a lo wer therapeutic index because of severe toxicity, Toxic signs of oripa vine were clonic-tonic convulsions followed by death. (C) 1998 John Wi ley & Sons, Ltd.