Abstract Renewed synthetic interest in the mesembrane alkaloids3, 4 has resulted from the recent characterization of several new bases found in various Southwest African Sceletium (Aizoaceae) species used in the elaboration of the pharmacollogicalPy interesting preparation known a8 “Channa” or “Kougoed” 4. These include, amongst others, the seco- mesembrane alkaloids joubertiamine (Ia), dihydrojoubertiamine (11) and ...