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Planta Med 2003; 69(12): 1166-1168
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-818013
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Galanthamine Pattern in Narcissus confusus Plants

Susana López1 , Jaume Bastida1 , Francesc Viladomat1 , Carles Codina1
  • 1Departament de Productes Naturals, Biologia Vegetal i Edafologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
This work was financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (project PB98 - 1211). S.L. is grateful to the Generalitat de Catalunya for the provision of a research fellowship
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Publication History

Received: May 13, 2003

Accepted: September 13, 2003

Publication Date:
29 January 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Galanthamine is an Amaryllidaceae-type alkaloid with acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity which is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The distribution of galanthamine and four other alkaloids in different organs of Narcissus confusus plants, as well as the variations occurring during the ontogenic cycle of this plant species, was studied. The five alkaloids were found to be present in all the organs at every stage, with the exception of haemanthamine in senescent flowers. The highest amount of alkaloids occurred in the bulb at the emerging stage, galanthamine being the most abundant, reaching a concentration of up to 2.5 % referred to dry weight.

References

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Dr. Carles Codina

Departament de Productes Naturals, Biologia Vegetal i Edafologia

Facultat de Farmàcia

Universitat de Barcelona

Av. Joan XXIII, s/n

08028 Barcelona, Catalunya

Spain

Fax: +34 93 402 90 43

Email: ccodina@farmacia.far.ub.es