Phytochemical and biological attributes of Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. (Amaryllidaceae): A review

Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. (wild daffodil or lent lily) is one of the most popular Amaryllidaceae plants with an age-old ornamental, folk, and medicinal reputation. The chemical composition of N. pseudonarcissus plants has long been studied thanks to their ubiquitous pharmacologically active metabolites, particularly alkaloids. So far, a variety of structurally diverse Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have been identified from N. pseudonarcissus, typically dominated by lycorine, galanthamine, homolycorine, tazettine, and haemanthamine groups, together with other minor and uncommon alkaloid types. This plant species was also shown to produce several non-alkaloidal metabolites, mostly represented by flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and volatile compounds that have attracted much lesser attention compared to alkaloids. The marvelous chemodiversity of N. pseudonarcissus plants has been also reported to underpin a range of bioactivities, including cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, and enzyme inhibitory actions. In view of that, this article affords a comprehensive overview of the current phytopharmacological knowledge on N. pseudonarcissus; delineating the current gaps and future research perspectives that can help widen its applications in the therapeutic and pharmaceutical realms.(c) 2021 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Narcissus pseudonarcissus, also known as wild daffodil or lent lily, is a popular plant with ornamental, folk, and medicinal importance. Its chemical composition, particularly the alkaloids, has been extensively studied. In addition to alkaloids, it also contains flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and volatile compounds. The plant exhibits various bioactivities, including antibacterial, antifungal, and enzyme inhibitory actions. Further research is needed to explore its potential applications in therapeutics and pharmaceuticals.