Panicudine

Panicudine is a C₂₀-diterpene alkaloid of the hetisine type, first isolated from monkshood. It has empirical formula C₂₀H₂₅NO₃ and a melting point of 249–250 °C. The structure was determined to be a hetisine type diterpene by noting infrared spectrum absorption bands of 3405 cm⁻¹, 1718, and 1650, a proton magnetic resonance spectrum with "secondary hydroxy, exomethylene, and tertiary methyl groups and the absence of N-methyl, N-ethyl, and methoxy groups." Additional ultraviolet spectrum and carbon-13 NMR data, confirmed by high resolution mass spectrometry, completed the determination of the structure.
Panicudine was identified as an active antimicrobial substance in the chloroform extract of Polygonum aviculare, a traditional herbal medicine of the Mediterranean coastal region. It has also been isolated from the herb Rumex pictus.

Related compounds

Panicutine is the acetate ester of panicudine.
A variety of related alkaloids have been isolated from other natural sources.