Alkaloids from Boophone haemanthoides (Amaryllidaceae)

Jerald J Nair1, Lucie Rárová2, Miroslav Strnad2

  • 1Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag XO1, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.

Summary

The South African Amaryllid Boophone haemanthoides contains potent anti-cancer alkaloids. Lycorine and distichamine show significant activity against leukemia and cancer cell lines.

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