ABSTRACT
Theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) is a naturally occur ring alkaloid closely related to caffeine. Like caffeine and theobromine, theophylline is structurally classified as a xanthine derivative (1-4). Xanthine is an intermediate in the normal catabolism of purines in humans and has no known pharmacologic activity. The most popular nonalco holic stimulant beverages of the world are prepared from plants containing derivatives of xanthine. For example, tea contains theophylline and coffee contains caffeine (5).