C. Harmine
Synonyms Telepathine; Leucoharmine; Yageine; Banisterine;
Biological Sources It is obtained from the seeds of Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae); Banisteria caapi Spruce. (Malpighiaceae); and Banisteriopsis inebrians Morton. (Malpighiaceae). It is also obtained from the fruit of Passiflora incarnata L. (Passifloraceae).
Chemical Structure
7-Methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido [3, 4-β] indole; (C13H12N2O).
Isolation Harmin may be isolated from the seeds of Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae) by the method suggested by Reinhard et al.
Characteristic Features
1. It is obtained as slender, orthorhombic prisms from methanol having mp 261°C (decomposition).
2. It sublimes and has pKa value of 7.70.
3. It as uvmax (methanol): 241, 301, 336 nm (log ε 4.61, 4.21, 3.69).
4. It is found to be slightly soluble in water, ethanol, ether and chloroform.
Identification Tests
Harmine Hydrochloride Dihydrate (C13H12N2O.HCl.2H2O) It is obtained as crystals having mp 262°C (decomposition), but when anhydrous mp 321°C (decomposition), but when anhydrous mp 321°C. The aqueous solution exhibits a distinct blue fluorescence. It is found to be soluble in 40 parts of water and freely soluble in hot water.
Uses It finds its usage as a CNS-stimulant and also as a narcotic hallucinogen.
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* Rainhard et al. Phytochemistry, 7, 503, (1968).
