Amaryllidaceae

Lycorine

Biology

Phytochemical

Ethnobotany

Alkaloid

Medicinal plants

Botany

Traditional medicine

Medicine

South African Journal of Botany

Crinum latifolium L. (Amaryllidaceae) is an herbaceous ornamental species that grows throughout the tropics and warm temperate regions, mainly in the Americas, Australia, and Southern Asia. Several phytochemical and biological studies on this species have been conducted, and pharmacological studies have revealed its promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties using different in vitro and in vivo models. The medicinal properties of this species have been attributed to the presence of several secondary metabolites (e.g., alkaloids). In C. latifolium bulbs, lycorine, hemanthamine, tazettine, and crinine-type alkaloids have been identified with diverse chemical structures. Furthermore, crinine, hemanthamine, and tazettine-type alkaloids are the most abundant in leaves. The present review aims to summarize research on the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of C. latifolium. As the scientific data indicate promising medicinal applications, this review will help researchers working in the fields of pharmacognosy, natural products, and health and related sciences to focus on further studies that yield concrete evidence regarding the potential of C. latifolium extracts for the treatment of different human disorders.

Recent updates on Crinum latifolium L. (Amaryllidaceae): A review of ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and biological properties