Chemical and biological aspects of different species of the genus Clinanthus Herb. (Amaryllidaceae) from South America

The genus Clinanthus Herb. is found in the Andes Region (South America), mainly in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. These plants belong to the Amaryllidaceae family, specifically the Amaryllidoideae subfamily, which presents an exclusive group of alkaloids known as Amaryllidaceae alkaloids that show important structural diversity and pharmacological properties. It is possible to find some publications in the literature regarding the botanical aspects of Clinanthus species, although there is little information available about their chemical and biological activities. The aim of this work was to obtain the alkaloid profile and the anti-cholinesterase activity of four different samples of Clinanthus collected in South America: Clinanthus sp., Clinanthus incarnatus, and Clinanthus variegatus. The alkaloid extract of each sample was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their potential against the enzymes acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase were evaluated. Thirteen alkaloids have been identified among these species, while six unidentified structures have also been detected in these plants. The alkaloid extract of the C. variegatus samples showed the highest structural diversity as well as the best activity against AChE, which was likely due to the presence of the alkaloid sanguinine. The results suggest this genus as a possible interesting new source of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, which could contribute to the development of new medicines. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Amaryllidaceae alkaloids; Clinanthus incarnatus; Clinanthus sp.; Clinanthus variegatus; alkaloid profiling

The Anti-Cholinesterase Potential of Fifteen Different Species of Narcissus L. (Amaryllidaceae) Collected in Spain

Narcissus L. is a renowned plant genus with a notable center of diversity and is primarily located in the Mediterranean region. These plants are widely recognized for their ornamental value, owing to the beauty of their flowers; nonetheless, they also hold pharmacological importance. In Europe, pharmaceutical companies usually use the bulbs of Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton to extract galanthamine, which is one of the few medications approved by the FDA for the palliative treatment of mild-to-moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of these plants in Alzheimer’s disease. The alkaloid extract from the leaves of different species of Narcissus was obtained by an acid-base extraction work-up -procedure. The biological potential of the samples was carried out by evaluating their ability to inhibit the enzymes acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BuChE, respectively). The species N. jacetanus exhibited the best inhibition values against AChE, with IC50 values of 0.75 ± 0.03 µg·mL−1, while N. jonquilla was the most active against BuChE, with IC50 values of 11.72 ± 1.15 µg·mL−1.Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnologia para el Desarrollo (CYTED, 223RT0140)

The Anti-Cholinesterase Potential of Fifteen Different Species of Narcissus L. (Amaryllidaceae) Collected in Spain

Narcissus L. is a renowned plant genus with a notable center of diversity and is primarily located in the Mediterranean region. These plants are widely recognized for their ornamental value, owing to the beauty of their flowers; nonetheless, they also hold pharmacological importance. In Europe, pharmaceutical companies usually use the bulbs of Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton to extract galanthamine, which is one of the few medications approved by the FDA for the palliative treatment of mild-to-moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of these plants in Alzheimer’s disease. The alkaloid extract from the leaves of different species of Narcissus was obtained by an acid-base extraction work-up -procedure. The biological potential of the samples was carried out by evaluating their ability to inhibit the enzymes acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BuChE, respectively). The species N. jacetanus exhibited the best inhibition values against AChE, with IC50 values of 0.75 ± 0.03 µg·mL−1, while N. jonquilla was the most active against BuChE, with IC50 values of 11.72 ± 1.15 µg·mL−1.Fil: Tallini, Luciana R.. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Manfredini, Giulia. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Rodríguez Escobar, María Lenny. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Ríos, Segundo. Universidad de Alicante; EspañaFil: Martínez Francés, Vanessa. Universidad de Miguel Hernández; EspañaFil: Feresin, Gabriela Egly. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de Souza Borges, Warley. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; BrasilFil: Bastida, Jaume. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Viladomat, Francesc. Universidad de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Torras Claveria, Laura. Universidad de Barcelona; Españ