Comparative chemical and biological studies of the alkaloidal content of Lygos species and varieties growing in Egypt

Quinolizidine and dipiperidyl alkaloids profiles have been determined for various plant organs of Lygos raetam Forssk. L. raetam var. sarcocarpa and L. raetam var. bovei, using TLC, GC, GC-MS and HPLC techniques. Sixteen quinolizidine and dipiperidyl alkaloids were identified including baptofoline alkaloid which have not previously been reported in the genus Lygos. Biological evaluulation including hypoglycemic effect, anti-inflammatory activity, and some pharmacological studies of the different extracts as well as some of the isolated alkaloids were also performed. N-methylcytisine was proved to have a significant hypoglycemic effect on the induced diabetic mice and anti-inflammatory effect against the induced odema as well as a sedation effect on locomotor activity enhanced by methamphetamine.