Therapeutic Activity of Narcissus Alkaloid on Rauscher Leukemia and Comparison with Standard Drugs

Abstract

SummaryAn alkaloid (2-X), tentatively identified as pseudolycorine, has been isolated from Narcissus tazetta L. This alkaloid, primarily studied as a new antiviral agent derived from the screening of medicinal plants of the Pacific area, has been shown to exert a superior prolongation effect on the life span of established Rauscher leukemic mice having palpable splenomegaly, in comparison with standard antileukemic drugs. It was found that the alkaloid suppressed the development of splenomegaly and the increase in number of nucleated blood cells, and dropped the virus titer in plasma without apparent toxicity. A second alkaloidal complex, called residual alkaloid, also showed remarkable antileukemic activity.