Alkaloids of Sternbergia clusiana and their Analgesic Effects

Abstract

Sternbergia clusiana of Turkish origin has yielded four alkaloids, lycorine, haemanthamine, haemanthidine, and tazettine. The alkaloids were separated using chromatographic methods and purified by crystallization. Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic studies. The analgesic activity of lycorine and haemanthidine was determined using modified Koster’s test. Lycorine and haemanthidine showed a significant analgesic effect. The analgesic activities of lycorine and haemanthidine are higher than those of aspirin.