This alkaloid occurs in several families of the Amaryllidaceae and is obtained as
colourless prisms when crystallized from Me2CO. It is dextrorotatory with
[α]25D
+ 100° (c 0.2, CHC13). It forms a crystalline picrate, m.p. 123°C; a
methiodide, m.p. 195-6°C and a semicarbazone, indicative of a keto group, m.p.
240-1 °c (dec.).
A metabolite of Galanthamine, a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Narwedine is the biogenetic precursor of galanthamine, has been studied as a respiratory stimulator. It increases the amplitude and decreases the frequency of cardiac contractions and would therefore be of value in reducing blood loss during surgery. It also inhibits the action of narcotics and hypnotics, and increases the analgesic effect of morphine as well as the pharmacological effects of caffeine, carbazole, arecoline, and nicotine.
ChEBI: Narwedine is a benzazepine.
Boit, Dapke, Beitner., Chem. Ber., 90,2197 (1957)
