This project supports participation of an Indian scientist, Dr. K.S. Khetwal of the Department of Chemistry, Kumaon University, Nainital, India, in a project managed by Dr. S. Pelletier at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA. The research objective is to investigate the alkaloid constituents of certain Himalayan alkaloid-bearing species, including Aconitum balfourii Stapf (Ranunculaceae), A. laeve Royle, and A. violaceum Jacq. The extracts of these species will be screened for their biological activities. The funds will enable Dr. Khetwal to travel to Athens and work with Dr. Pelletier for approximately four months on the structural determination of active compounds using modern instrumentation including infrared, GC-MS spectra, proton and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy. Techniques such as specific homonuclear- heteronuclear decoupling, off-resonance techniques, broad band decoupling, NOE, relaxation experiments and 2D-methods will be utilized to provide further insight into the complex structures. Scope: The project is expected to increase understanding of the chemistry of Indian plants, especially those from the Himalayan region, to select pharmacologically interesting compounds that merit careful study, and to better understand the relationship between the chemical structure and the bioactivity. The work will enhance the capability of the Indian scientist for carrying out useful Indo-U.S. collaboration when he returns to India.
