Lycorane

Lycorane is a toxic crystalline alkaloid that is found in a certain type of flower that belongs to the
Amaryllidaceous specie. It may be highly poisonous when ingested in certain quantities. However, it is
sometimes used medicinally.
Lycorane is toxic as it inhibits protein synthesis and some symptoms include nausea and vomiting. Some
theories have stated that lycorane may inhibit ascorbic acid biosynthesis although the studies on have
been deemed controversial and inconclusive. Currently, the effects of lycorane are tested on several
types of yeast.
It has been observed that lycorane has promising pharmacological activities such as antibacterial,
antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. The compound is also said to have anticancer properties as it
displayed various inhibitory properties towards multiple cancer cell lines that include but are not limited
to lymphoma and leukemia. Lycorane also has many derivatives used for anti-cancer research such as
lycorane hydrochloride (LH) which is a novel anti-ovarian cancer agent.

Gamma Lycorane