A study of the toxic constituents of the seeds of Cassia occidentalis L. and the fruits of Karwinskia humboldtiana Zucc

Abstract

The toxic nature of the plants, Cassia occidentalis L. (coffee senna) and Karwinskia humboldtiana Zucc. (coyotillo), has been established by numerous feeding trials. Several toxic constituents have been isolated and partially characterized. N-Methylmorpholine was isolated from the seeds of coffee senna by 3% ethanolic tartaric acid at 50-60°. The identity was established by comparing ir and mass spectra, melting point and mixture melting point with a sample of synthetic N-methylmorpholine hydrochloride. This heterocyclic amine hydrochloride caused miosis and death in Capuchin monkeys and death in rats. A toxic, amorphous, yellow powder was isolated from air-dried, ground coyotillo fruits by chloroform extraction followed by silicic acid column chromatography using a dry, benzene-acetone mixture as the eluting solvent. This isolated substance was a single component as revealed by thin layer chromatography, and gave positive Tollens's and ferric chloride tests. This compound was labile to light and air, and also unstable in an alkaline solution. The ir and uv spectra were identical with those reported by Shaver (1966). This isolated compound produced paralysis of the posterior limbs in a Capuchin monkey by a feeding experiment..