Piperolactam A
# Piperolactam A

Piperolactam A is a natural product alkaloid found in many plants and first isolated from roots of Piper longum (long pepper). As a group, such compounds are called aristolactams, and are related to aristolochic acid.

## History

Piperolactam A was first reported in 1988 after isolation from an extract of Piper longum. Many closely related natural product alkaloids are known including aristolochic acid and its lactam derivatives. In some reports, piperolactam A is called aristolactam FI.

## Synthesis

### Biosynthesis

It has been suggested that piperolactam A and related compounds are biosynthesised from aporphine precursors.

### Chemical synthesis

Aristolactams including piperolactam A have been the subject of chemical synthesis studies, which have been reviewed.

## Natural occurrence

Piperolactam A and related compounds are found in Aristolochiaceae (birthwort), Annonaceae (custard apple), Piperaceae (pepper), and Saururaceae plant families.

