Analysis of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids from Chlidanthus Fragrans by GC-MS and their Cholinesterase Activity

The underivatized alkaloid mixture extracted from the bulbs of Chlidanthus fragrans Herb. was investigated by capillary GC/MS for the first time. Fifteen known Amaryllidaceae alkaloids of five structure types were identified. The main alkaloids were tazzetine (9, tazettine-type), chlidanthine (2, galanthamine-type), belladine (8, belladine-type) and lycorine (12, lycorine-type). The alkaloid extract from the bulbs showed promising human blood acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 = 20.1 ± 2.9 μg/mL) and human plasma butyrylcholinesterase (IC 50 = 136.8 ± 6.9 μg/mL) inhibitory activity.