Planta Med 2002; 68(8): 750-751
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33799
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Anti-trypanosomal Activity of Helenalin and Some Structurally Related Sesquiterpene Lactones

Thomas J. Schmidt1 , Reto Brun2 , Günter Willuhn1 , Sami A. Khalid3
  • 1Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie der Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • 2Swiss Tropical Insitute, Basel, Switzerland
  • 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Philadelphia University, Amman, Jordan
Further Information

Publication History

Received: October 19, 2001

Accepted: February 24, 2002

Publication Date:
09 September 2002 (online)

Abstract

The anti-trypanosomal activity of six sesquiterpene lactones (helenalin, mexicanin I, 11α,13-dihydrohelenalin acetate, chamissonolide, ivalin and isoalantolactone) against the African Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and American T. cruzi was investigated. All tested compounds were found active towards both parasites, the former being generally more sensitive. Helenalin was the most active compound in the series with IC50 values of 0.051 and 0.695 μM against T. brucei rhodesiense and T. cruzi, respectively. The low IC50 value for T. b. rhodesiense indicates that helenalin type compounds may be interesting candidates for further evaluation.

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Priv.-Doz. Dr. Thomas J. Schmidt

Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie

Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf

Universitätsstrasse 1, Geb. 26.23

40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

Phone: +49-211-8114179

Fax: +49-211-8111923

Email: e-mail: schmidtt@uni-duesseldorf.de