ESCHSCHOLZIA CALIFORNICA: A PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL - REVIEW

Phytochemical analysis of Eschscholzia californica showed that both aerial parts and roots contained alkaloids,
the latter being richer than the former, it contained up to 1.6% alkaloids. The alkaloids most commonly reported
in Eschscholzia californica included sanguinarine, dihydrosanguinarine chelirubine, macarpine,
dihydromacarpine, californidine, chelerythrine, dihydrochelerythrine, chelilutine, dihydrochelilutine,
sanguirubine, escholtzine, N-methyllaurotetanine, caryachine, O-methylcaryachine, protopine, allocryptopine,
reticuline, methyl laurotetanine, hunnemanine, norsanguinarine, pavine alkaloid (6S,12S-neocaryachine-7-Omethyl
ether N-metho salt), 1-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-methyl-6,7-methylenedioxy-1,2,3,4-tetra
hydroisoquinoline, as well as the dihydro-intermediates. The plant also contained a variety of colours including
orange, red and yellow due to its different carotenoid composition. Six flavonol 3-O-glycosides were isolated from
the aerial parts of Eschscholtzia californica. Flavonoids, in the Eschscholzia californica, occurred mainly as
quercetin isorhamnetine glycosides. The previous pharmacological studies revealed that the plant possessed
antifungal, analgesic, anxiolytic, sedative, behavioural activities and beneficial effect in vasomotor headache with
an interesting mechanisms. This review was designed to discuss the chemical constituents and pharmacological
effects of Eschscholzia californica.
Keywords: Eschscholzia californica, pharmacology, contents, chemicals, therapeutic