# Lycorine (1,2-didehydrolycorine)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/lycorine
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-29
**Evidence Score:** 4 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** 1,2-didehydrolycorine, phenanthridine alkaloid, Amaryllidaceae alkaloid, lycorine hydrochloride, lycorine HCl

## Overview

Lycorine is a naturally occurring Amaryllidaceae alkaloid found in plants such as daffodil (Narcissus spp.) and spider lily (Lycoris radiata), characterized by a tetracyclic pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline core structure. Its primary mechanisms involve inhibition of protein synthesis, suppression of JAK2/STAT3 signaling cascades, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cell lines.

## Health Benefits

• May reduce tumor growth and infiltration in leukemia models (preliminary evidence from mouse studies)
• Potentially inhibits esophageal cancer cell proliferation by targeting TRIM22 and JAK2/STAT3 pathways (in vitro and animal studies)
• Shows anti-metastatic activity through STAT3 suppression and reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (preclinical prostate cancer models)
• Demonstrates anti-angiogenic properties through PDGFRα docking (in vitro HUVEC studies)
• Induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in multiple cancer cell lines (preliminary in vitro evidence)

## Mechanism of Action

Lycorine inhibits eukaryotic protein synthesis by interfering with the elongation step of translation at the ribosomal level, reducing proliferative capacity in rapidly dividing cells. It suppresses the JAK2/STAT3 signaling axis by downregulating phosphorylation of STAT3 at Tyr705, thereby reducing transcription of pro-survival genes such as Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and cyclin D1. Additionally, lycorine targets TRIM22, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, to modulate downstream oncogenic pathways and has been shown to activate caspase-3 and caspase-9 to trigger mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

## Clinical Summary

The majority of evidence supporting lycorine's bioactivity comes from in vitro cell-line studies and murine xenograft models rather than human clinical trials. In leukemia mouse models, lycorine administration reduced tumor burden and inhibited cancer cell infiltration into tissues, though specific quantified outcomes vary by study and dosing protocol. In esophageal cancer in vitro studies, lycorine suppressed cell proliferation and migration at micromolar concentrations (approximately 1–10 µM) by targeting the TRIM22/JAK2/STAT3 pathway. No peer-reviewed human clinical trials have been completed to date, meaning efficacy and safe dosing in humans remain unestablished.

## Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"protein": "Not applicable", "fiber": "Not applicable"}, "micronutrients": {"vitamins": "Not applicable", "minerals": "Not applicable"}, "bioactive_compounds": {"lycorine": "Present in trace amounts, specific concentration not well-documented"}, "bioavailability_notes": "Lycorine is primarily studied for its pharmacological effects rather than nutritional value. Its bioavailability and [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) in humans are not well-characterized."}

## Dosage & Preparation

No human dosage data available. Animal studies used 5-10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for leukemia models and 5-15 mg/kg/day for other tumor models. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Lycorine has a narrow therapeutic window and exhibits cytotoxicity at higher concentrations in both cancerous and normal cell lines, raising concerns about systemic toxicity in human use. In animal studies, doses exceeding established thresholds have been associated with gastrointestinal distress, emesis, and potential hepatotoxicity, consistent with the broader toxic profile of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Lycorine may interact with drugs metabolized via CYP450 enzymes and could theoretically potentiate or antagonize immunosuppressive or chemotherapeutic agents, though direct interaction data in humans are lacking. It is considered unsafe during pregnancy due to its cytotoxic and potential teratogenic properties, and no safe or standardized supplemental dose has been established for human consumption.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses have been conducted with lycorine. All available evidence comes from preclinical in vitro studies and animal models, including SCID mouse xenograft studies showing reduced leukemia cell infiltration and extended survival at 5-10 mg/kg/day doses.

## Historical & Cultural Context

The research sources do not provide information on traditional medicinal uses of lycorine. It is primarily highlighted as a natural lead compound for anticancer drug discovery from Amaryllidaceae plants.

## Synergistic Combinations

Curcumin, EGCG, Quercetin, Resveratrol, Berberine

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What plant sources contain lycorine?

Lycorine is found predominantly in plants of the Amaryllidaceae family, with particularly high concentrations in Narcissus (daffodil), Lycoris radiata (spider lily), and Galanthus (snowdrop) species. The alkaloid is distributed across bulbs, leaves, and flowers, with bulb tissue typically containing the highest concentrations. These plants are ornamental and not consumed as food, and accidental ingestion has caused reported poisoning cases in humans and animals.

### Does lycorine kill cancer cells?

Lycorine has demonstrated pro-apoptotic effects against multiple cancer cell lines in vitro, including HL-60 leukemia cells, esophageal cancer lines, and multiple myeloma cells, typically at concentrations of 1–10 µM. It induces apoptosis via caspase-3/9 activation and mitochondrial pathway disruption, and suppresses proliferation by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation at Tyr705. However, all current evidence is preclinical — no human clinical trials have confirmed these effects in cancer patients.

### Is lycorine safe to take as a supplement?

Lycorine is not approved as a dietary supplement and is not considered safe for unsupervised human consumption based on current evidence. Its cytotoxicity at higher doses affects both cancerous and normal cells, and animal studies have documented gastrointestinal and hepatic adverse effects. There is no established safe or effective dose for humans, and it should not be used outside of a supervised research or clinical context.

### What is the mechanism of lycorine's antiviral activity?

Lycorine has shown antiviral activity against several viruses including SARS-CoV, dengue, and Zika virus, primarily by inhibiting viral RNA replication and protein synthesis rather than blocking viral entry. Studies suggest it interferes with host ribosomal function needed for viral polyprotein translation, reducing viral load in cell-based assays at low micromolar concentrations. These findings are entirely preclinical, and no antiviral applications have been validated in human trials.

### How does lycorine differ from galantamine, another Amaryllidaceae alkaloid?

Although both lycorine and galantamine are Amaryllidaceae alkaloids sharing botanical origins in plants like Galanthus and Narcissus species, they have entirely different pharmacological profiles. Galantamine is an FDA-approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used clinically for Alzheimer's disease, while lycorine's primary investigated activities are anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory via STAT3 and protein synthesis inhibition. Lycorine does not meaningfully inhibit acetylcholinesterase and lacks any approved therapeutic or supplemental application as of current evidence.

### What does the current clinical research evidence show about lycorine's effectiveness in humans?

Most lycorine research to date consists of in vitro (cell culture) and animal model studies, with limited human clinical trials available. While preclinical data suggests potential anti-cancer and antiviral properties, these findings have not yet been replicated in large-scale human studies, meaning efficacy in people remains unproven. The gap between promising laboratory results and clinical confirmation is significant, and consumers should be cautious about claims based on preliminary research alone.

### Does lycorine have any known bioavailability limitations or factors that affect how well the body absorbs it?

Lycorine is a lipophilic alkaloid that may face challenges with absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, though specific human bioavailability data is limited. Factors such as food intake, individual gut microbiota, and gastrointestinal pH could theoretically influence absorption, but controlled bioavailability studies in humans have not been extensively published. Most available information on lycorine's absorption comes from animal models rather than clinical trials in people.

### Are there specific populations who should be cautious about using lycorine supplements?

Pregnant and nursing women should avoid lycorine due to the lack of safety data in these populations and the potential alkaloid effects on fetal development. Individuals with liver or kidney dysfunction may need to exercise caution, as alkaloid metabolism could be compromised in these conditions. People taking medications metabolized through similar hepatic pathways should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing, given lycorine's potential for drug interactions through cytochrome P450 enzyme systems.

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