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Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift
Erschienen in: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 9-10/2021

27.01.2021 | original article

The snowdrop, wellspring of galanthamine

A brief descriptive and scientific history

verfasst von: Dimitri A. Cozanitis, BPharm, DMSc, DTMH

Erschienen in: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift | Ausgabe 9-10/2021

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Summary

A history of the common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, is set out in folkloric fashion. Its religious connection is evident as well as the inspiration it arouses in artists and in ordinary persons. It is intended to shed light on the initial works relating to the snowdrop’s alkaloid, galanthamine, performed by Soviet and Bulgarian scientists, which lie buried away and generally remain unknown. A brief history and nature of alkaloids continues with the emphasis placed on galanthamine. Heretofore hidden uses of snowdrops in traditional (folk) medicine are unveiled. An anticholinesterase with central and peripheral activity, feasible clinical indications with galanthamine are described. Certain disorders for which galanthamine has been deemed beneficial are presented for their historical value. Ongoing research regarding drugs and chemicals developed from the snowdrop and galanthamine is mentioned.
Fußnoten
1
Professor Valentyna Minarchenko, M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, Kiev, December 9, 2016, personal communication.
 
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Metadaten
Titel
The snowdrop, wellspring of galanthamine
A brief descriptive and scientific history
verfasst von
Dimitri A. Cozanitis, BPharm, DMSc, DTMH
Publikationsdatum
27.01.2021
Verlag
Springer Vienna
Erschienen in
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift / Ausgabe 9-10/2021
Print ISSN: 0043-5341
Elektronische ISSN: 1563-258X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-020-00799-2

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