Narcissus alkaloids toxicity

Lycorine (69) was recognized as a potent emetic and a moderately toxic base from the time of its initial isolation from Narcissus pseudonarcissus E. (in about 1877) (48). Since that time its isolation from many other AmaryUidaceae, for example, Lpcom radiate Herb., has served to estabUsh it as the most cosmopohtan alkaloid of the family. TypicaUy, as much as 1% of the dry weight of daffodil bulbs may consist of lycorine (69), which has been reported to... 

In the last group alone, there are more than 160 members, some of which are toxic. Many other alkaloids, some of great complexity, can be found in plants and frequently are referred to by the plant name. Thus, the Amaryllidaceae (exemplified by the common narcissus plant) alkaloids are a rich collection of complex stmctures. From the moss family Lycopodiaceae are obtained a group known as the Lycopodium alkaloids. Many miscellaneous alkaloids also are known. The book by Aniszewski is an excellent source of information on other types of alkaloids, their botanical distribution, and their biological and other features. 

Not all Narcissus species are equally dangerous. The bulbs of N. poeticus, for example, are more dangerous than those of N. pseudonarcissus. Neither do all plant tissues have the same concentration or profile of alkaloids. Thus, the alkaloid content of N. papyraceus is five times higher in the aerial part than in the bulbs, being toxic for herbivorous mammals (137). The distribution of the alkaloids in the plant tissues can be related with the plant defense mechanism. 

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