The isolation and characterization of pseudoreserpine (C32H38O9N2), a new alkaloid possessing hypotensive and sedative activity, is reported. On methanolysis pseudoreserpine yielded methyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate and a new alkamine designated methyl pseudoreserpate, which has been shown to be methyl 17-nor-reserpate by conversion to the 17,18-diacetyl derivative of methyl 17-nor-3-isoreserpate and through the conversion of reserpine to methyl pseudoreserpate. © 1957, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.