Narciclasine

DescriptionThe bulbs of several Narcissus species contain this alkaloid which crystallizes in the form of pale yellow needles with a pronounced yellow-green fluorescence. It is best purified by recrystallization from either acetic acid or an aqueous mixture of methoxyethyl alcohol. It is dextrorotatory with [α]589 + 145° or [Qh64 + 983° (c 1.5, EtOH). The ultraviolet spectrum in neutral solution (EtOH) has absorption maxima at 252, 302 and 329 mil, while that in alkaline solution (0.01 N/NaOH) has the maxima at 219, 249,310 and 355 mil. The O-methyl ether forms shiny needles which also exhibit a strong blue fluorescence. The tri_x0002_acetate has been prepared as an amorphous, non-crystallizable substance. With FeC13 the alkaloid gives a violet colour.

DescriptionNarciclasine is a plant growth inhibitor that can be isolated from Narcissus bulbs. At 1 μM, it has been shown to induce apoptosis-mediated cytotoxicity in human cancer cells in vitro but not in normal fibroblasts. Narciclasine has been shown to regulate the Rho/Rho kinase/LIM kinase/cofilin signaling pathway by increasing GTPase RhoA activity, as well as inducing actin stress fiber formation in a RhoA-dependent manner.

UsesNarciclasine is an antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic inducer.

UsesNarciclasine is reasonably abundant in some Narcissus spp. and has served as a very useful intermediate for synthetic conversion into (+)-pancratistatin and to conduct a series of structure–activity relationship studies . Bicolorine, another member of the narciclasine series, is an unusual, completely aromatized quaternary alkaloid with an N-methyl group.