Chemical analyses of Ukrain™, a semi-synthetic Chelidonium majus alkaloid derivative, fail to confirm its trimeric structure

Ukrain™ has been described as a semi-synthetic Chelidonium majus alkaloid derivative, consisting of three chelidonine alkaloids combined to triaziridide. We found the actions of Ukrain™ to be similar to the Chelidonium alkaloids it is prepared from, and therefore became concerned about its chemical integrity. Chemical analyses of Ukrain™ by thin layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was inconsistent with the proposed trimeric structure and demonstrated that at least some commercial preparations of Ukrain™ consist of a mixture of C. majus alkaloids (including chelidonine).