Hypepontine, a new quaternary alkaloid with antimicrobial properties.

New isoquinoline alkaloid hypepontine (1) together with a five known compounds, were identified in Hypecoum ponticum Velen, the partial synonym of Hypecoum procumbens L. The structure of the new substance was elucidated based on spectroscopic evidence. The tertiary and quaternary alkaloid mixtures as well as the isolated alkaloids were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activity. The result revealed that the crude alkaloid mixture containing quaternary isoquinoline alkaloids showed potent antifungal and antibacterial activity.