Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A Review
The genus <i>Galanthus</i> (Amaryllidaceae) currently contains 25 plant species naturally occurring in Europe and the Middle East region. These perennial bulbous plants possess well-known medicinal and ornamental qualities. Alkaloid diversity is their most distinctive phytochemical featu...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Borislav Georgiev Boriana Sidjimova Strahil Berkov |
| author_facet | Borislav Georgiev Boriana Sidjimova Strahil Berkov |
| author_sort | Borislav Georgiev |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The genus <i>Galanthus</i> (Amaryllidaceae) currently contains 25 plant species naturally occurring in Europe and the Middle East region. These perennial bulbous plants possess well-known medicinal and ornamental qualities. Alkaloid diversity is their most distinctive phytochemical feature. A total of 127 compounds (≈20% of all known Amaryllidaceae alkaloids) grouped in 16 structural types have been previously found in <i>Galanthus</i> extracts. Some structural types like galanthindole, graciline and plicamine were first discovered in <i>Galanthus</i> plants. Nine <i>Galanthus</i> species, however, remain unstudied regarding their alkaloid patterns. Intraspecific variability has only been studied in <i>G. nivalis</i> and <i>G. elwesii</i>. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are molecules with anticholinesterase, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer properties. Galanthamine, isolated for the first time from <i>Galanthus woronowii</i> Losinsk., stands out as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved for medical use by the FDA for the treatment of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Lycorine, narciclasine and pancratistatin are noteworthy cytotoxic and antitumor alkaloids. Structural types like galanthamine, homolycorine and haemanthamine are fairly well studied in anticancer research, but little to no information is available on galanthindole, graciline and other types. This review aims to present an update on the alkaloid diversity of <i>Galanthus</i> spp. and highlight the need for further research on the antitumor potential of these molecules. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd3f26942a4941e68d6d5ac76bf858b1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd3f26942a4941e68d6d5ac76bf858b12024-12-27T14:47:59ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-12-011324357710.3390/plants13243577Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A ReviewBorislav Georgiev0Boriana Sidjimova1Strahil Berkov2Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaThe genus <i>Galanthus</i> (Amaryllidaceae) currently contains 25 plant species naturally occurring in Europe and the Middle East region. These perennial bulbous plants possess well-known medicinal and ornamental qualities. Alkaloid diversity is their most distinctive phytochemical feature. A total of 127 compounds (≈20% of all known Amaryllidaceae alkaloids) grouped in 16 structural types have been previously found in <i>Galanthus</i> extracts. Some structural types like galanthindole, graciline and plicamine were first discovered in <i>Galanthus</i> plants. Nine <i>Galanthus</i> species, however, remain unstudied regarding their alkaloid patterns. Intraspecific variability has only been studied in <i>G. nivalis</i> and <i>G. elwesii</i>. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are molecules with anticholinesterase, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anticancer properties. Galanthamine, isolated for the first time from <i>Galanthus woronowii</i> Losinsk., stands out as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor approved for medical use by the FDA for the treatment of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Lycorine, narciclasine and pancratistatin are noteworthy cytotoxic and antitumor alkaloids. Structural types like galanthamine, homolycorine and haemanthamine are fairly well studied in anticancer research, but little to no information is available on galanthindole, graciline and other types. This review aims to present an update on the alkaloid diversity of <i>Galanthus</i> spp. and highlight the need for further research on the antitumor potential of these molecules.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/24/3577<i>Galanthus</i>Amaryllidaceae alkaloidsbiological activitiescytotoxicityanticancer |
| spellingShingle | Borislav Georgiev Boriana Sidjimova Strahil Berkov Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A Review Plants <i>Galanthus</i> Amaryllidaceae alkaloids biological activities cytotoxicity anticancer |
| title | Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A Review |
| title_full | Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A Review |
| title_short | Phytochemical and Cytotoxic Aspects of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids in <i>Galanthus</i> Species: A Review |
| title_sort | phytochemical and cytotoxic aspects of amaryllidaceae alkaloids in i galanthus i species a review |
| topic | <i>Galanthus</i> Amaryllidaceae alkaloids biological activities cytotoxicity anticancer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/24/3577 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT borislavgeorgiev phytochemicalandcytotoxicaspectsofamaryllidaceaealkaloidsinigalanthusispeciesareview AT borianasidjimova phytochemicalandcytotoxicaspectsofamaryllidaceaealkaloidsinigalanthusispeciesareview AT strahilberkov phytochemicalandcytotoxicaspectsofamaryllidaceaealkaloidsinigalanthusispeciesareview |