Abstract:
Amaryllidaceae is a significant source of bioactive phytochemicals with a strong propensity
to develop new drugs. The genera Allium, Tulbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum biosynthesize novel
alkaloids and other phytochemicals with traditional and pharmacological uses. Amaryllidaceae
biomolecules exhibit multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and
immunomodulatory effects. Traditionally, natural products from Amaryllidaceae are utilized to
treat non-communicable and infectious human diseases. Galanthamine, a drug from this family, is
clinically relevant in treating the neurocognitive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, which underscores
the importance of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Although Amaryllidaceae provide a plethora of
biologically active compounds, there is tardiness in their development into clinically pliable medicines.
Other genera, including Cyrtanthus and Tulbaghia, have received little attention as potential sources
of promising drug candidates. Given the reciprocal relationship of the increasing burden of human
diseases and limited availability of medicinal therapies, more rapid drug discovery and development
are desirable. To expedite clinically relevant drug development, we present here evidence on bioactive
compounds from the genera Allium, Tulgbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum and describe their traditional
and pharmacological applications.
