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Planta Med 1991; 57(4): 337-340
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-960112
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antiamœbic and Antiplasmodial Activities of Alkaloids Isolated from Strychnos usambarensis

Colin W. Wright1 , Dorothy H. Bray2 , Melanie J. O'Neill3 , David C. Warhurst2 , J. David Phillipson1 , Joelle Quetin-Leclercq4 , Luc Angenot4
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
  • 2Department of Medical Parasitology, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1, U.K.
  • 3Glaxo Group Research, Ltd., Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 OHE, U.K.
  • 4Service de Pharmacognosie, Institut de Pharmacie, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
Further Information

Publication History

1990

Publication Date:
05 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Seven alkaloids isolated from Strychnos usambarensis have been assessed for in vitro activities against Entamœba histolytica and Plasmodium falciparum and for in vivo activity against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Strychnopentamine and 3′,4′-dihydrousambarensine were highly active against P. falciparum in vitro, but were inactive and non-toxic against P. berghei in vivo. Usambarensine, usambarine, and 18,19-dihydrousambarine were highly active against E. histolytica in vitro, but were less active against P. falciparum in vitro, N b-Methylusambarensine was less active against both protozoa than was usambarensine, and akagerine possessed little antiprotozoal activity. Structure-activity relationships are discussed in the context of the reported cytotoxic and pharmacological properties of these alkaloids.

Key words

Strychnos usambarensis - antiamœbic activity - antiplasmodial activity - Entamœba histolytica - Plasmodium falciparum - Plasmodium berghei - bisindole monoterpene alkaloids

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