Delving into the Latest Updates on Lycorine with Synapse

Overview

Basic Info

Drug Type

Small molecule drug

Synonyms-

Target

NF-κB

Action

inhibitors

Mechanism

NF-κB inhibitors(Nuclear factor NF-kappa-B complex inhibitors)

Therapeutic Areas

Nervous System DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Active Indication

Ischemic stroke

Inactive Indication-

Originator Organization

Macau University of Science & Technology

Active Organization

Macau University of Science & Technology

Inactive Organization-

License Organization-

Drug Highest PhasePreclinical

First Approval Date-

Regulation-

Structure/Sequence

Molecular FormulaC16H17NO4

InChIKeyXGVJWXAYKUHDOO-DANNLKNASA-N

CAS Registry476-28-8

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide, largely owing to poor prognosis associated with chemotherapy resistance and cancer stem cell-driven recurrence. This study comprehensively investigates the antitumor effects of lycorine, a natural alkaloid derived from Lycoris radiata, in human ovarian cancer models. Our results demonstrate that lycorine significantly inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and suppresses cancer stemness through modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In vitro, lycorine treatment reduced the expression of stemness-associated markers (CD133, CD44, NANOG, SOX2, OCT4, and LIN28A) by approximately 30-80% and impaired tumor sphere formation by more than 75%. RNA sequencing and pathway enrichment analysis confirmed significant suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, accompanied by reduced phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR. In vivo, lycorine (5 mg/kg) effectively suppressed tumor growth by approximately 75% in A2780-luc xenograft models, reduced cancer stem cell subpopulations, and exhibited minimal systemic toxicity. Furthermore, lycorine sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin and counteracted cisplatin-induced enrichment of cancer stem cell populations. These findings highlight lycorine as a promising multi-target therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer, particularly in addressing stemness-driven chemoresistance and tumor recurrence.

01 Apr 2026·PHYTOMEDICINE

Lycorine improves inflammatory imbalance in diabetic cardiomyopathy by targeting ILF3

Article

Author: Liang, Guang ; Bao, Shenjie ; Tao, Huanyan ; Zhu, Hong ; Yuan, Miao ; Zhang, Jingnan ; Jin, Xuejin ; Wang, Yi ; Zhou, Qian ; Xu, Zheng ; Chattipakorn, Nipon

BACKGROUND:

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic disturbances, leading to progressive cardiac dysfunction. Lycorine (LY), a complex tetracyclic pyrrolo[de]phenanthridine alkaloid from the Amaryllidaceae family, has shown potential anti-inflammatory effects, but its role in DCM pathogenesis remains unexplored.

PURPOSE:

This study investigated the cardioprotective effect of LY in DCM and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS:

We employed both in vitro (high glucose/palmitic acid-treated cardiomyocytes) and in vivo (streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice) models to investigate LY's cardioprotective effects. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance binding assay, cellular thermal shift assay, and RNA interference approaches were utilized to identify the key target and mechanistic pathways.

RESULTS:

In vitro and in vivo models of DCM revealed that LY significantly attenuated cardiac inflammation. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that LY targeted interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3), a critical regulator of inflammatory responses. Notably, surface plasmon resonance and cellular thermal shift assay data validated a direct interaction between LY and ILF3. By interacting with ILF3, LY enhanced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-mediated anti-inflammatory responses while suppressing NF-κB-driven pro-inflammatory signaling, thereby restoring inflammatory homeostasis and reducing myocardial injury. Furthermore, ILF3 knockdown mimicked the protective effects of LY, and ILF3 activity was essential for LY's cardioprotective effects.

CONCLUSION:

These findings suggest that LY ameliorates DCM by modulating ILF3-dependent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and NF-κB crosstalk to restore inflammatory balance, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for diabetic cardiovascular complications.

01 Feb 2026·PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

Antifungal mechanisms of amaryllidaceous alkaloids lycorine and narciclasine against the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

Article

Author: Xu, Shu ; Tian, Mei ; Chen, Yu ; Wang, Ruyuan ; Chen, Jin ; Feng, Xu ; Wang, Qizhi ; Qiao, Siwei ; Xu, Xiaoxiao ; Liu, Chenyang

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:

Rice blast, a destructive fungal disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae , severely impacts rice production worldwide. The increasing resistance of M. oryzae to multiple commercial fungicides has heightened the need for novel control agents. In previous studies, we identified two amaryllidaceous alkaloids, lycorine (LYC) and narciclasine (NAR), as potent antifungal agents against M. oryzae . However, their antifungal mechanisms remain poorly understood.

RESULTS:

In this study, RNA sequencing was used to examine the transcriptome of M. oryzae , followed by validation via quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results suggested that both LYC and NAR greatly inhibited lipid metabolism and melanin metabolism in M. oryzae . In addition, LYC suppressed carbohydrate metabolism, whereas NAR interfered with mitosis. Liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry analysis further confirmed the suppression of lipid metabolism by both compounds, particularly the reduction in phosphatidylcholine content. Physiological and biochemical assays demonstrated that LYC and NAR significantly reduced melanin production and altered membrane permeability. LYC also evidently lowered carbohydrate and pyruvic acid levels, whereas NAR reduced both RNA and protein contents.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, LYC and NAR can both inhibit lipid metabolism and melanin synthesis of M. oryzae , with LYC also impacting carbohydrate metabolism and NAR disrupting mitosis. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of LYC and NAR as novel control agents against rice blast. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

100 Deals associated with Lycorine

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