For many people daffodils are a welcome sign that spring has arrived, brightening up their day on a cold morning. However, daffodils are not just of symbolic significance. Like many other plants, they contain alkaloid compounds. Alkaloids are naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic molecules, which can act as bases. They have a variety of interesting properties and uses, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. Two notable alkaloids present in daffodils are galantamine and lycorine (Figure 1).
Galantamine is of great importance in the medical world as it is commonly used to reduce the symptoms experienced by patients in the early-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which can lead to dementia. It works by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This means that acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and learning, is more readily available in the brain.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
