Nature’s Anti-Alzheimer’s Drug:: Isolation and Structure Elucidation of Galantamine from Leucojum aestivum

• Catherine M. Halpin ^[1] ; Ciara Reilly ^[1] ; John J. Walsh ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Dublin, Ireland
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 87, Nº 11 (November), 2010, págs. 1242-1243
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The discovery that galantamine penetrates the blood−brain barrier has led to its clinical use in the treatment of choline-deficiency conditions in the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This experiment involves the isolation and structure elucidation of galantamine from Leucojum aestivum. Isolation of the alkaloid constituents in L. aestivum is performed using an acidic solvent extraction system, and flash-column chromatography combined with thin-layer chromatography is used to isolate galantamine in pure form from the extract. During the course of the experiment, the students isolate galantamine with an average recovery of 0.15%. IR, MS, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR spectra confirm the structure of galantamine. The experiment can be completed over two, 3-h laboratory sessions and is suitable for upper-level undergraduate students. The experiment acquaints the students with the techniques required to isolate and complete structural elucidation studies on natural products.