The first phytochemical report of Galanthus transcaucasicus Fomin.

BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF STUDY: Galanthus transcaucasicus Fomin (Amaryllidaceae) is an endemic species to the Caucasia and Alborz mountains in Iran which locally named "Gole-Barfi". While there are many reports on pharmacological activities of Galanthus species' alkaloids, there is no report on G. transcaucasicus and this article is the first phytochemical study on this species.

METHODS

Extracted alkaloids from G. transcaucasicus bulbs were isolated using different chromatographic methods and the structures of the components were determined by physical and spectroscopic data.

RESULTS

Five isoquinoline type alkaloids namely galanthamine (8.04%), narwedine (6.90%), lycorine (19.48%), caranine (3.45%) and tazettine (5.75%) of total alkaloid extract were isolated from the bulbs of Galanthus transcaucasicus Fomin.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the presence of biologically active alkaloids especially galanthamine and the major alkaloid lycorine in Gol-e-Barfi, the plant may be used as a natural source for pharmaceutical purposes.