Faculty of Science Research Talk: Alkaloids of Daphniphyllum: Structure and Bioactivity

Name  :   Mr Premanand Krishnan – Foundation in Science

Title  :  Alkaloids of Daphniphyllum: Structure and Bioactivity

Abstract  : Daphniphyllum alkaloids are a group of complex triterpenoid alkaloids found in the genus Daphniphyllum (Daphniphyllaceae). More than one hundred Daphniphyllum alkaloids have been reported since the first member of the group was reported in 1966. Daphniphyllum alkaloids have been reported to show cytotoxic, antioxidant, vasorelaxant and antiplatelet activating factor (PAF) effects. Several Daphniphyllum plant species have already been identified to occur in Peninsular Malaysia and these are in fact endemic to Malaysia or South East Asia. To the best of our knowledge these plants have not been investigated phytochemically and therefore the objective of this research is to investigate the alkaloid composition of these Daphniphyllum species to uncover compounds with novel molecular architecture as well as to probe their biological activities such as cytotoxicity towards cancer cells and anticholinesterase effects. The research will essentially be divided into four stages, namely, i) plant collection and processing, ii) plant extraction, isolation and purification of alkaloids, iii) identification and characterization of alkaloids, and iv) biological evaluation of plant extracts and pure alkaloids.