Enzyme-assisted Extraction and Enrichment of Galanthamine from Lycoris aurea

Objective To explore the optimum condition for complex enzyme-assisted extraction of galanthamine from Lycoris aurea by L_9（3~4） orthogonal array design and separation effect of cation exchange resin on galanthamine. Methods Cellulase and pectinase solution was used as the extraction solvent. The effects of p H value of enzyme, amount of complex enzyme, dissociation time, and enzymatic hydrolysis temperature on the extraction results were investigated. Results The optimal conditions were obtained as follows： ratio of solid to liquid（g：mL） 1：10, pH value 4.5, amount of complex enzymes 4%, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 50oC, and reaction time 2.0 h. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of galanthamine was 0.0294%. In addition, D-001 cation exchange resin was selected for separation of galanthamine. The separation conditions were that adsorption flow rate was 3 BV/h with reagent of pH2 and the desorption flow rate was 3 BV/h with 70% ethanol solution containing 1.5 mol/L ammonia. After separation, the content of galanthamine was increased to 12.31%. Conclusion The results provide a reference for industrial production of galanthamine.

Effect of cholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine on circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha in rats with lipopolysaccharideinduced peritonitis

Background The nervous system, through the vagus nerve and its neurotransmitter acetylcholine, can down-regulate the systemic inflammation in vivo, and recently, a role of brain cholinergic mechanisms in activating this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway has been indicated. Galanthamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor and one of the centrally acting cholinergic agents available in clinic. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of galanthamine on circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-a） in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and the possible role of the vagus nerve in the action of galanthamine. Methods Rat models of lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and bilateral cervical vagotomy were produced. In the experiment 1, the rats were randomly divided into control group, peritonitis group, and peritonitis groups treated with three dosages of galanthamine. In the experiment 2, the rats were randomly divided into sham group, sham plus peritonitis group, sham plus peritonitis group treated with galanthamine, vagotomy plus peritonitis group, and vagotomy plus peritonitis group treated with galanthamine. The levels of plasma TNF-α were determined in every group. Results The level of circulating TNF-α was significantly increased in rats after intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin. Galanthamine treatment decreased the level of circulating TNF-α in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis, and there was significant difference compared with rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis without treatment. The 3 mg/kg dosage of galanthamine had the most significant inhibition on circulating TNF-α level at all the three tested doses. Galanthamine obviously decreased the TNF-a level in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis with sham operation, but could not decrease the TNF-α level in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis with vagotomy. Conclusion Cholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine has an inhibitory effect on TNF-α release in rats with Iipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis, and the vagus nerve plays a role in the process of the action of galanthamine.