The chemical constituents from plants of this family have been divided into four classes, namely, homoisoflavanones, steroidal compounds, bufadienolides and miscellaneous compounds.
A single report on the occurrence of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in Urginea altissima is questioned following a reinvestigation of this species (Pohl et al., 2000).
The phytochemistry and ethnobotany of the southern African genus Eucomis were reviewed. Six taxa (five species) have been used traditionally, for ailments largely related to inflammation and pain, and conditions as diverse as urinary diseases, colic, hangovers, syphilis, fractures, backache, rheumatism and teething.
A total of six species have been phytochemically investigated, resulting in the isolation of 39 constituents. These include four classes of homoisoflavonoids, as well as benzopyranones, spirocyclic nor-triterpenoids, acids, a saponin glycoside and a chromanone.
Homoisoflavanoids (commonly known as homoisoflavanones or 3-benzyl-4-chromanones) are a small group of compounds whose occurrence has thus far been restricted largely to the Hyacinthaceae. Four different classes of homoisoflavonoids have been isolated from Eucomis [3-benzyl-4-chromanone, 3-hydroxy-3-benzyl-4-chromanones, 3- benzylidene-4-chromanone and scillascillin-type homoisoflavonoid] (Koorbanally et al., 2006a).