Amaryllidaceae

Con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento científico de especies endémicas del Perú, se realizó el estudio exomorfológico y fitoquímico de los bulbos de Clinanthus microstephium (Ravenna) Meerow e Ismenes amancaes (Ker Gawl.) Herb. (Amaryllidaceae), las cuales fueron recolectadas en los alrededores de los lugares denominados Tablón y Rayanpampa, al oeste de Salpo, provincia Otuzco, región La Libertad, Perú. Las descripciones exomorfológicas se hicieron con plantas in situ. El tamizaje fitoquímico se realizó mediante una extracción sucesiva con solventes de polaridad ascendente (diclorometano, etanol y agua), y se procedió a realizar la identificación del tipo cualitativo, haciendo uso de reactivos de coloración y precipitación. Los bulbos de ambas especies presentan una gran variedad de fitoconstituyentes, entre ellos alcaloides, compuestos fenólicos, flavonoides, antocianidinas, triterpenos, esteroides, azúcares reductores, aceites y grasas, aminoácidos, resinas y mucílagos; mientras que solo se encontró lactonas y cumarinas en la especie Clinanthus microstephium.
Palabras clave: Amaryllidaceae, bulbos, Clinanthus microstephium, Ismene amancaes, fitoquímica.

Hippeastrum ramboi, a new species of Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllidoideae, Hippeastreae) endemic to the mountainous region of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) is described and illustrated. Data one its habitat, cology, geographic distribution is provided and its threat status is evaluated according to IUCN criteria. The new species has morphological affinity with H. sanctaecatharinae and H. breviflorum, the last one has not been correctly typified up to date, being lectotyped here to correctly define the circumscription of this taxonomic entity in comparison to the new species.

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines are an important class of synthetic and natural compounds, which display a broad range of medicinal activities. The 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline system has attracted attention not only because of its biological activities, but also due to its presence as a basic framework in many naturally occurring products and drugs. Their skeletons are unique among the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids and they have long been alluring targets for synthetic chemists as witnessed by a number of articles dealing with biogenesis, isolation, characterization and synthesis. The alkaloid cherylline is an optically active naturally occurring, 4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, isolated from Crinum powelli, Amaryllidaceae plant. There are many ways for cherylline synthesis. In this short review is described the different methods for synthesis of the alkaloid cherylline.

A synopsis of the genus Tocantinia is provided, with two new species being described and illustrated: T. dutilhiana and T. stigmovittata. Descriptions, illustrations and data on etymology, ecology, conservation status, distribution and habitat of the species are provided. The taxonomic placement of the genus in morphological and phylogenetic aspects is discussed.

RESUMO É fornecida uma revisão nomenclatural dos táxons do grupo Sealyana e propostas tipificações. Este grupo é constituído por dois gêneros monoespecíficos, Eithea (E. blumenavia) e Eusarcops (E. reticulata), sendo que neste artigo é proposto o restabelecimento do último. São discutidas as relações morfológicas e filogenéticas dos táxons deste grupo dentre as Hippeastrinae, apresentando-se uma chave para identificação dos gêneros desta subtribo que ocorrem no Brasil.

ABSTRACT [Taxonomic-nomenclatural disambiguation and typification of species of the Sealyana group (Amaryllidaceae, Amaryllidoideae), and their synonyms]. A nomenclatural revision of the taxa belonging to the Sealyana group is provided and typifications proposed. This group consists of two monospecific genera, Eithea (E. blumenavia) and Eusarcops (E. reticulata), and in this article the reestablishment of the latter is proposed. Morphological and Phylogenetic relationships of the taxa of this group among the Hippeastrinae are discussed, presenting a key for identification of the genera of this subtribe that occur in Brazil.

A synopsis of the genus Tocantinia is provided, with two new species being described and illustrated: T. dutilhiana and T. stigmovittata. Descriptions, illustrations and data on etymology, ecology, conservation status, distribution and habitat of the species are provided. The taxonomic placement of the genus in morphological and phylogenetic aspects is discussed.

Emesis encompasses the forceful expulsion of the contents of stomach via the mouth or sometimes the nose. The adverse effects of currently available anti-emetic agents potentiate the natural product researchers to explore the natural anti-emetics with fewer side effects. The presented communication constitutes a review on anti-emetic effect of two hundred and forty five plants belonging to seventy-eight families found in different parts of the world. It also outlined the anti-emetic effect of plant extracts and isolated secondary metabolites studied through a variety of animal models of emesis. The reported anti-emetic plants in different countries and cultures and the scientific studies on extracts may help in the identification of promising single chemical compound(s) that may be used as a potential leads for developing safe anti-emetic agents in future. Moreover the reported secondary metabolites having the same effect may open the door for the search of same secondary metabolite...

Zephgrabetaine (1), a new betaine type Amaryllidaceae alkaloid, along with seven known alkaloids, lycorine, galanthine, lycoramine, hamayne, haemanthamine, tortuosine, and ungeremine were isolated from the bulbs of Zephyranthes grandiflora and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. The isolated alkaloids were tested for in vitro cytotoxic activities against two cell lines, C-6 (rat glioma cells) and CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovary cells). A dose dependent cytotoxic effect was exhibited by all the alkaloids on these two cancer cell lines with prominent activity of lycorine and haemanthamine.

Allium therinanthum, a new species of A. sect. Codonoprasum, is described and illustrated from southern Mt. Hermon (Israel). It is a late-flowering diploid species (2n = 16), growing on calcareous substrates of the mountain belt. It is a narrowly distributed geophyte, showing morphological relationships mainly with A. tardiflorum, a typical autumnal species also occurring in Israel within the pinewoods of Mt. Carmel. The morphology, karyology, leaf anatomy, ecology, conservation status and taxonomical relations are examined for both species. A taxonomic comparison with the most allied late flowering species of the sect. Codonoprasum is provided.

A synopsis of the genus Tocantinia is provided, with two new species being described and illustrated: T. dutilhiana and T. stigmovittata. Descriptions, illustrations and data on etymology, ecology, conservation status, distribution and habitat of the species are provided. The taxonomic placement of the genus in morphological and phylogenetic aspects is discussed.

Crinum woodrowii Baker is a critically endangered bulbous plant belonging to family Amaryllidaceae found only at Kates point, Mahabaleshwar. It is endemic to Kates Points, Mahabaleshwar in Satara district of Maharashtra. It was recollected in 2012 from Vahigaon, Bhimashankar and in 2014 in Katraj. Crinum woodrowii is used as ornamental as well as medicinal herb. The scented flowers may be used in perfume and pharmaceutical industry. In present findings, the molecular phylogenetic study i.e. DNA finger printing of the C. woodrowii was determined. A consensus phylogenetic tree that compared known sequences of C. woodrowii from the current collection suggested that the specimens in our collection were closely related to genus Crinum.

One of the largest monocotyledonous genus in the Amaryllidaceae family is the Allium genus that includes approximately 900 species. This study aimed to examine the variations and clustering of eight Iranian endemic Allium species based on karyotype features. The species were collected from wild habitats across different geographical areas of Iran. A. sativum, A. stipitatum, A. fistolosum, A. umbellicatum, A. stamineum, A. lenkoranicum, and A. rubellum, were diploids (2n = 2x = 16), but A. atroviolaceum was triploid (2n = 3x = 24). The results represent x = 8 for basic chromosome numbers in all species. Analysis of variance showed significant interspecific variations for all eight chromosomal parameters tested. The mean of chromosome lengths was 11.19 μm, varied from 8.59 μm to 13.81 μm for A. atroviolaceum and A. stipitatum, respectively. In all species, the chromosome types were determined as mostly metacentric (m) and submetacentric (sm), formed five different karyotype formulas of 16m (A. stipitatum, A. fistolosum, A. stamineum), 14m+2sm (A. sativum, A. rubellum), 12m+4sm (A. lenkoranicum), 10m+6sm (A. umbellicatum), and 24m (A. atroviolaceum). According to Stebbins' classification, all karyotypes were grouped in the 1A class and represented the most symmetrical karyotypes. The information obtained from karyotype and chromosome morphology has an appreciable value in understanding the taxon evolution and interrelations.

The tribe Leucocoryneae is taxonomically and cytogenetically complex, mainly due to its extraordinary morphological and karyological variation. Robertsonian translocations had long been recognized as a central factor contributing to karyotype diversity within the Leucocoryneae, but so far no major tendency prevailing on the observed complexity of karyotype formula among species has been identified. The assessment of nuclear DNA contents by flow cytometry using propidium iodide in 23 species, representing all genera within the tribe, showed a monoploid genome size variation of 1Cx = 9.07-30.46 pg denoting a threefolds fluctuation. A highly significant linear association between the average DNA content per chromosome arm (2C/FN) and the monoploid genome size (1Cx) is reported for the first time and identified as a novel indicator of a trend governing karyotype diversity within Leucocoryneae. This trend shows that a reduction in DNA content per chromosome arm is influencing and has sha...

Although Galanthus nivalis L. (snowdrop) is known for the galanthamine content, used in the treatment of Alzheimer disease, the polyphenolic compounds of Amaryllidaceae species are less studied. Proper understanding of the polyphenolics in these extracts and of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties may allow a reconsideration of their medicinal uses. The polyphenolic content of four selected Amaryllidaceae species harvested from Romania (Galanthus nivalis L., Narcissus pseudonarcissus L., N. poeticus L. and Leucojum vernum L.) was determined by spectrophotometric methods; the identification of phenolic compounds was performed by a HPLC-MS method, in order to establish their polyphenolic fingerprints. For the evaluation of the antioxidant potential the following methods were employed: DPPH radical scavenging, FRAP, hemoglobin ascorbate peroxidase activity inhibition (HAPX), inhibition of lipid peroxidation catalyzed by cytochrome c, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) ...

In Egypt, taxonomic aspects of the genus Pancratium L. (Amaryllidaceae, Pancratieae) were thoroughly studied to point out the most reliable characters for taxon delimitation. Here, we base our species on both geographical and morphological features. The detailed taxonomic revision of genus Pancratium is based on field studies and the examination of representative specimens together with the authentic types deposited in the major herbaria of Egypt and Kew. Variations in the aerial scape, spathe, perianth, corona-teeth, pistil, stamens, capsules and seeds, as well as those of leaf base and leaf orientation are good markers to separate the different species. As a result, five species are recognized, including P. trianthum as a new record to the flora of Egypt. It is restricted to the south-eastern corner of Egypt (Gebel Elba region) and being unique in possessing solitary spathe and long attenuate leaf base. A specific key and descriptions are given with typifications.

Plants of the Amaryllidaceae family produce a large variety of alkaloids and non-basic secondary metabolites, many of which are investigated for their promising anticancer activities. Of these, crinine-type alkaloids based on the 5,10b-ethanophenanthridine ring system were recently shown to be effective at inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells resistant to various pro-apoptotic stimuli and representing tumors with dismal prognoses refractory to current chemotherapy, such as glioma, melanoma, non-small-cell lung, esophageal, head and neck cancers, among others. Using this discovery as a starting point and taking advantage of a concise biomimetic route to the crinine skeleton, a collection of crinine analogues were synthetically prepared and evaluated against cancer cells. The compounds exhibited single-digit micromolar activities and retained this activity in a variety of drug-resistant cancer cell cultures. This investigation resulted in the discovery of new bicyclic ring systems...

The Mediterranean coastline is a dynamic and complex system which owes its complexity to its past and present vicissitudes, e.g. complex tectonic history, climatic fluctuations, and prolonged coexistence with human activities. A plant species that is widespread in this habitat is the sea daffodil, Pancratium maritimum (Amaryllidaceae), which is a perennial clonal geophyte of the coastal sands of the Mediterranean and neighbouring areas, well adapted to the stressful conditions of sand dune environments. In this study, an integrated approach was used, combining genetic and environmental data with a niche modelling approach, aimed to investigate: (1) the effect of climate change on the geographic range of this species at different times {past (last inter-glacial, LIG; and last glacial maximum, LGM), present (CURR), near-future (FUT)} and (2) the possible influence of environmental variables on the genetic structure of this species in the current period. The genetic results show that 4...

Emesis encompasses the forceful expulsion of the contents of stomach via the mouth or sometimes the nose. The adverse effects of currently available anti-emetic agents potentiate the natural product researchers to explore the natural anti-emetics with fewer side effects. The presented communication constitutes a review on anti-emetic effect of two hundred and forty five plants belonging to seventy-eight families found in different parts of the world. It also outlined the anti-emetic effect of plant extracts and isolated secondary metabolites studied through a variety of animal models of emesis. The reported anti-emetic plants in different countries and cultures and the scientific studies on extracts may help in the identification of promising single chemical compound(s) that may be used as a potential leads for developing safe anti-emetic agents in future. Moreover the reported secondary metabolites having the same effect may open the door for the search of same secondary metabolite...

Background While the utilitarian crops grown in vicarage gardens in pre-industrial Sweden have been fairly well documented, our knowledge of plants cultivated for food among the peasants and crofters is limited. Nevertheless, garden vegetables and herbs played a much more important role in the diet of the rural population from a nutritional point of view than, say, wild plants, at least in the southern part of the country. This study aims to explore the importance of edible cultivated onions, Allium, and their various cultivars and old landraces that were once—and in some cases still are—grown in home gardens. Methods This study is based on documentation collected from national surveys carried out by the Swedish National Programme for Diversity of Cultivated Plants (POM), and from an intense search for references to the cultivation and use of carious onions in the historic garden literature, herbals and ethnographic records found in responses to folklife questionnaires. Results The ...

A new mesembrine-type alkaloid, named sarniensine, was isolated together with tazettine, lycorine, the main alkaloid, and 3-epimacronine from Nerine sarniensis, with the last two produced for the first time by this plant. This Amaryllidaceae, which is indigenous of South Africa, was investigated for its alkaloid content, because the organic extract of its bulbs showed strong larvicidal activity with an LC50 value of 0.008μgμL(-1) against first instar Aedes aegypti larvae and with an LD50 value 4.6μg/mosquito against adult female Ae. aegypti, which is the major vector for dengue, yellow fever and the Zika virus. The extract did not show repellency at MED value of 0.375mgcm(2) against adult Ae. aegypti. Sarniensine was characterized using spectroscopic and chiroptical methods as (3aR,4Z,6S,7aS)-6-methoxy-3a-(2'-methoxymethyl-benzo [1,3]dioxol-1'-yl)-1-methyl-2,3,3a,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1H-indole. It was less effective against larva at the lowest concentration of 0.1μgμL(-1), howev...

In Argentina, the Amaryllidaceae family (59 species) comprises a wide variety of genera, only a few species have been investigated as a potential source of cholinesterases inhibitors to treat Alzheimer disease (AD). To study the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities of the basic dichloromethane extracts (E) from Hieronymiella aurea, H. caletensis, H. clidanthoides, H. marginata, and H. speciosa species, as well as the isolated compounds from these plant extracts. AChE and BChE inhibitory activities were evaluated with the Ellman's spectrophotometric method. The alkaloids composition from the E was obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The E were successively chromatographed on a silica gel column and permeated on Sephadex LH-20 column to afford the main alkaloids identified by means of spectroscopic data. Additionally, an in silico study was carried out. Nine known alkaloids were isolated from the E of five Hierony...

In this study, a reversed-phase, high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was applied in the quantitative analysis of lycorine in the aerial parts and bulbs of Galanthus alpinus Sosn. var. alpinus collected from Rize during the flowering and fruiting seasons. A simple method to extract lycorine from the plant specimens was performed, using pre-packed columns with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut®). The chromatographic separation was achieved employing an isocratic system with a mobile phase including trifluoroacetic acid-water-acetonitrile (0.01:95:5) measured at a flow rate of 1 mL/min using a diode array detector (DAD). The lycorine content in the bulbs during the flowering and fruiting seasons was detected as 0.01576 and 0.02351 %, respectively. Also, validation studies showed that the method was specific, accurate and precise.