Alkaloids from Nerine bowdenii (Amaryllidaceae) and their biological activity

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Botany Candidate: Mgr. Lada Krejčová Consultant: prof. Ing. Lucie Cahlíková, Ph.D. Title of Rigorosus Thesis: Alkaloids from Nerine bowdenii (Amaryllidaceae) and their biological activity The Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are known for their wide spectrum of biological effects. Cytotoxic and inhibitory activity against cholinesterases belong to the most important of them. The aim of the rigorosus thesis was the isolation of at least two pure alkaloids from assigned fractions of alkaloidal extract prepared from Nerine bowdenii (Amaryllidaceae). Spectroscopic methods (MS, NMR, optical rotation) were used for the identification of the chemical structures. The isolated substances were identified as alkaloids of crinine structural type undulatine, buphanidrine and 1-O-acetylbulbisine. All of these alkaloids were tested for the inhibitory activity against cholinesterases (AChE, BuChE) and prolyl oligopeptidase, undulatine and 1-O-acetylbulbisine for the cytotoxicity in addition. The inhibitory activity against human cholinesterases was determined by a modified Ellman's spectrofotometric method. Undulatine was the most potent inhibitor of HuAChE with value of IC50 23,5 ± 1,2 µM, against HuBuChE the alkaloids were..