Crinum zeylanicum

Two alkaloids tentatively identified as hamayne (377) and 3-acetylhamayne (378) have also been reported to be components of Crinum zeylanicum L. (44). Although certain physical properties for the alkaloid assigned to be 377 and its diacetate were not identical with those previously reported for hamayne and hamayne diacetate, the H-NMR spectrum at 100 MHz of the base alleged to be hamayne was superimposable with that of an authentic sample of 377, and partial hydrolysis of its diacetate furnished a substance that was identical with 3-acetylhamayne (378) (44). While the discrepancies in the physical data for the alkaloid isolated from Crinum zeylanicum L. and hamayne might be due to polymorphic crystals, this was not established, and further structural work on these compounds should resolve the differences. 

The aqueous extracts of Crinum glaucum caused an increase in tidal volume, increase in ventilatory rate and depth (115). The extract also inhibited the quantity of mediators antigenically released from the limgs, inhibited mast cell degranulation and reduced the mepyramine resistant activity from the limgs. These effects substantiate the efficacy of the extract in the treatment of asthma (116, 117). Aqueous and ethanohc extracts of Crinum zeylanicum have shown high mortality rate of the molluscides Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Lymnaea natalensis (118). 

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