Seven alkaloids and their antibacterial activity from Hypecoum erectum L.

From the aerial part of Hypecoum erectum L., seven alkaloids, Protopine (1), Cryptopine (2), Allocryptopine (3), Hypecorinine (4), (-)-N-Methylcanadine (5), Oxohydrastinine (6) and N-Methylcorydaldine (7) were isolated. The structures of the seven compounds were established by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT and ESI-MS analyses. Compounds 2, 5 and 7 were obtained from this plant for the first time. The antibacterial activities were investigated against six bacteria (3 gram-positive and 3 gram-negative) by disc diffusion method followed by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was determined using a two fold serial dilution assay for the compound which have inhibitory effect. In vitro antimicrobial activities assay indicated that some compounds showed promising activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the antimicrobial properties of these alkaloids from this plant.   Key words: Hypecoum erectum L., alkaloids, antimicrobial activity.