Kinga Stempińska, Tadeusz Pietras, Karol Maksymilian Górski

“The flower of death” in traditional medicine and modern biological research: the broad potential of the Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata)

 

2026-06-19

Subject of the study. Lycoris radiata, commonly known as the red spider lily (‘higanbana’) – a species of significant ethnopharmacological importance, rooted in the medical traditions of East Asia.

Aim of the study. To compile a review of current knowledge on this plant, integrating data from the fields of botany, ethnopharmacology and current pharmacological research.

Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases.

Results. In the botanical section, L. radiata is described as a bulbous perennial with a specific life cycle (flowering before leaf development) and a complex genetic structure, comprising both fertile diploid forms (var. pumila) and the widespread, sterile triploids (var. radiata), which are dominant in certain regions of the world.

The context of the plant’s traditional use was also described, which served as the starting point for modern research into its biological activity. In traditional medicine, L. radiata bulbs were used, amongst other conditions, for inflammation and selected neurological disorders; however, these data are of a historical nature and do not meet modern standards for assessing efficacy.

The main part of this review focuses on an analysis of experimental studies on the biological activity of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Compounds such as lycorine, narciclasine and hippeastrine exhibit antiproliferative effects in numerous in vitro models and selected in vivo models; however, there is currently insufficient clinical data to confirm their efficacy in humans. Particular attention has been paid to galantamine, which is an example of a compound with documented clinical use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, in contrast to most other alkaloids, which remain at the preclinical research stage. Reports on antiviral activity (including against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus) are based mainly on in vitro results, and less frequently on in vivo studies, which limits the possibility of their direct clinical translation.

Conclusions. L. radiata appears to be a promising source of biologically active compounds; however, its therapeutic potential – in both human and veterinary medicine (e.g. in the context of PRRSV) – requires further verification. In particular, studies on bioavailability and toxicity, as well as well-designed preclinical and clinical trials, are necessary to enable a reliable assessment of the safety and efficacy of these substances.

Keywords: ethnopharmacology, herbal medicine, traditional medicine, Lycoris radiata, spider lily.

© Farm Pol, 2025, 81(12): 703–710