Chemical analyses of Ukrain (TM), a semi-synthetic Chelidonium majus alkaloid derivative, fail to confirm its trimeric structure

Ukrain (TM) has been described as a semi-synthetic Chelidonium majus alkalo id derivative, consisting of three chelidonine alkaloids combined to triazi ridide. We found the actions of Ukrain (TM) to be similar to the Chelidoniu m alkaloids it is prepared from, and therefore became concerned about its c hemical integrity. Chemical analyses of Ukrain (TM) by thin layer chromatog raphy: high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mas s spectrometry was inconsistent with the proposed trimeric structure and de monstrated that at least some commercial preparations of Ukrain (TM) consis t of a mixture of C. majus alkaloids (including chelidonine). (C) 2000 Else vier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.