Bioactive steroidal alkaloid glycosides from Solanum aculeastrum

Solanum aculeastrum Dunal was investigated for the presence of molluscicidal compounds. This led to the isolation of solaculine A, from the root bark in addition to known steroidal alkaloids; solamargine and beta-solamarine from the berries. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. Molluscicidal activity of the aqueous extracts of the berries and root bark, and the isolated compounds were investigated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.