(+)-Lentiginosine (14) and (7R)-7-hydroxylentiginosine (26), powerful inhibitors of amyloglucosidases, and their enantiomers were obtained in high overall yields by a multistep synthesis involving 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of enantiopure tartaric acid derived pyrroline N-oxides. Structurally related (S,S)-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidines 29-33 were synthesized as simpler models and tested towards 24 glycosidases.