CHED 1348

Our research has been aimed at the discovery of bioactive alkaloids with particular interst in alkaloids that are active at nicotinic receptors. Many plants of the genus Packera have been found to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, such as senecionine, integerrimine, retrorsine, and usaramine. Some these compounds are known to have activity at nicotinic receptors. We have studied the extracts of  P. glabella for the presence of known pyrrolizidine alkaloids as well as new alkaloids and the possible activity of these extracts at nicotinic receptors. The extracts have been examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-perfomance liquid chromatography, and functional fluorescence bioassays. The results of our studies to date will be presented.