Constituents of catha edulis (alkaloids, triterpenoids and related substances and saponins)

Abstract

The study of the alkaloids of khat samples from Egypt and Yemen revealed qualitative and quantitative differences. Cathine and the dimer of cathinone occured in both samples, while norephedine was detected only in Yemen samples. Investigation of certain other constituents viz. triterpenes, sterols, fatty alcohols, hydrocarbons, fatty acids and saponins resulted in the isolation and identification of several components