Revised NMR data for 9-O-demethylgalanthine: an alkaloid from Zephyranthes robusta (Amaryllidaceae) and its biological activity.

Ongoing studies of Zephyranthes robusta resulted in the isolation of the lycorine-type alkaloid previously called carinatine and 10-O-demethylgalanthine. The NMR data given previously for this compound were revised and completed by two-dimensional 1H-1H and 1H-13C chemical shift correlation experiments. The name of the isolated compound was corrected to 9-O-demethylgalanthine in accordance with the currently used system of numbering of lycorine-type alkaloids.

Alkaloids from Chlidanthus fragrans and their acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and prolyl oligopeptidase activities.

Eleven Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (1-11) were isolated from fresh bulbs of Chlidanthus fragrans Herb. The chemical structures were elucidated by MS, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic experiments. Complete NMR assignments were achieved for deoxypretazzetine (1).

Alkaloids from Zephyranthes robusta BAKER and their acetylcholinesterase- and butyrylcholinesterase-inhibitory activity.

The bulbs of Zephyranthes robusta (Amaryllidaceae) have been extensively analyzed for their chemical constituents, resulting in the isolation of 13 alkaloids. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by mass-spectrometric, and 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic experiments. The complete NMR assignments were achieved for hippeastidine.

Isolation and cholinesterase activity of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Nerine bowdenii.

Amaryllidaceae species are known as ornamental plants. Some contain galanthamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The chemical composition of the alkaloid extract of bulbs of Nerine bowdenii Watson has been analyzed by means of GC/MS.

Ecdysterone and its activity on some degenerative diseases.

Beside ecdysone (1), ecdysterone (2) is one of the most common 5beta-cholest-7-en-6-one (ecdysteroid) derivatives, which, besides having a hormonal effect on invertebrates, possesses a number of favorable non-hormonal biological effects on mammals. The most interesting of these is that on degenerative diseases, one of which, up to now not clarified in detail, is the so-called adaptogenic effect (protection of the organism against adverse stress factors) associated with anabolic, gastroprotective, and antioxidant effects. A second group of favorable effects is the possibility of suppression of neurodegenerative processes and protection of the cardiovascular system (metabolic syndrome symptom suppression, antidiabetic activity, and protection of heart and blood vessels).

Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory compounds from Chelidonium majus (Papaveraceae).

The roots and aerial parts of Chelidonium majus L. were extracted with EtOH and fractionated using CHCl3 and EtOH. Repeated column chromatography, preparative TLC and crystallization led to the isolation of five isoquinoline alkaloids, stylopine (3), chelidonine (4), homochelidonine (5), protopine (6), and allocryptopine (7), along with two isolation artifacts 6-ethoxydihydrosanguinarine (1) and 6-ethoxydihydrochelerythrine (2).

Analysis of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Zephyranthes robusta by GC-MS and their cholinesterase activity.

From the bulbs of Zephyranthes robusta Baker (Amaryllidaceae), seven known compounds, belonging to four structural types of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, were identified and quantified by GC-MS. The alkaloid extract from the bulbs showed promising acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities against HuAChE (IC50 = 35.9 +/- 3.