Background

• Fumaria, also called fumitory, is an annual flowering plant native to parts of Europe and Asia. There are about 50 different species of fumaria, and Fumaria officinalis is the most common variety.
• The plant contains compounds called alkaloids, which are believed to treat muscle spasms and skin disease. Oddibil®, an Austrian drug made from fumaria, is marketed as a treatment for gallbladder disease.

References

1. Bhatti M. Isolation and structural studies on the chemical constituents of fumaria indica and related medicinal plants. 1998.
2. Blasko G, Hussain SF, and Shamma M. Corlumine, a new phthalideisoquinoline alkaloid from Fumaria parviflora. Journal of Natural Products 1981;44:475-477.
3. Colton MD, Guinaudeau H, Shamma M, et al. (-/)-Norfumaritine: a new spirobenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from Fumaria kralikii. Journal of Natural Products 1985;48:846-847.
4. Dasgupta B, Seth KK, Pandey VB, et al. Alkaloids of Fumaria indica: Further Studies on Narceimine and Narlumidine. Planta Med 1984;50(6):481-485. View Abstract
5. Forgacs P. Presence of rhoeagenine in Fumaria parviflora. Journal of Natural Products 1985;48:1000-1001.
6. Kumar A, Pandey VB, Seth KK, et al. Pharmacological actions of fumariline isolated from Fumaria indica seeds. Planta Med 1986;(4):324-325. View Abstract
7. Pandey MB, Singh AK, Singh JP, et al. Fuyuziphine, a new alkaloid from Fumaria indica. Nat.Prod.Res. 4-15-2008;22(6):533-536. View Abstract
8. Popova ME, Simanek V, Dolejs L, et al. Alkaloids from Fumaria parviflora and F. kralikii*. Planta Med 1982;45(6):120-122. View Abstract
9. Popova ME, Simanek V, Novak J, et al. Alkaloids of Fumaria densiflora*. Planta Med 1983;48(8):272-274. View Abstract
10. Sener B. Densiflorine, a new alkaloid from Fumaria densiflora DC. Int.J.Crude Drug Res 1984;22:79-80.
11. Sener B. Turkish species of Fumaria L. and their alkaloids. Part 8. Alkaloids of Fumaria macrocarpa Parlatore. Int.J.Crude Drug Res. 1986;22:185-187.
12. Sturm S, Strasser EM, and Stuppner H. Quantification of Fumaria officinalis isoquinoline alkaloids by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr.A 4-21-2006;1112(1-2):331-338. View Abstract
13. Suau R, Cabezudo B, Rico R, et al. Direct determination of alkaloid contents in Fumaria species by GC-MS. Phytochem.Anal. 2002;13(6):363-367. View Abstract
14. Valka I, Walterova D, Popova ME, et al. Separation and Quantification of Some Alkaloids from Fumaria parviflora by Capillary Isotachophoresis1. Planta Med 1985;51(4):319-322. View Abstract
15. Wynne PM, Vine JH, and Amiet RG. Protopine alkaloids in horse urine. J Chromatogr.B Analyt.Technol.Biomed.Life Sci 11-5-2004;811(1):85-91. View Abstract