GALANTHAMINONE

Description

This alkaloid occurs in several families of the Amaryllidaceae and is obtained as colourless prisms when crystallized from Me2CO. It is dextrorotatory with [α]²⁵_D + 100° (c 0.2, CHC13). It forms a crystalline picrate, m.p. 123°C; a methiodide, m.p. 195-6°C and a semicarbazone, indicative of a keto group, m.p. 240-1 °c (dec.).

Chemical properties

White to Off-White

The Uses of GALANTHAMINONE

A metabolite of Galanthamine, a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

The Uses of GALANTHAMINONE

Narwedine is the biogenetic precursor of galanthamine, has been studied as a respiratory stimulator. It increases the amplitude and decreases the frequency of cardiac contractions and would therefore be of value in reducing blood loss during surgery. It also inhibits the action of narcotics and hypnotics, and increases the analgesic effect of morphine as well as the pharmacological effects of caffeine, carbazole, arecoline, and nicotine.

Definition

ChEBI: Narwedine is a benzazepine.

References

Boit, Dapke, Beitner., Chem. Ber., 90,2197 (1957)