Antiprotozoal activity of the constituents of Rubus coriifolius

Abstract

Extraction of the aerial parts of Rubus coriifolius, a medicinal plant used by the Maya communities in Southern Mexico to treat bloody diarrhoea, resulted in the isolation of seven known compounds (-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, hyperin, nigaichigoside F1, beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside, gallic acid and ellagic acid. All compounds were tested for their antiprotozoal activity against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lambia. Epicatechin was the main responsible for the antiprotozoal activity of the extract against both protozoa, its activity was comparable to emetine, but no exceeded that of metronidazole.

Antiinflammatory activities of Rubus coreanus depend on the degree of fruit ripening

“…Nigaichigoside F1 (NIF 1 ) and 23-hydroxytormentic acid (23-HTA) isolated from the unripe fruits of Rubus coreanus has antigastropathic and antirheumatic effects (Choi et al, 2003;Nam et al, 2006). In addition, ellagic acid in Rubus species was reported to have anticarcinogenic (Narayanan et al, 1999;Paivarinta et al, 2006), antiprotozoal (Alanis et al, 2003) and antileukaemic effects (Skupien et al, 2006). It has been determined that the quantity of active components in many plants used in traditional medicines is dependent on agronomical and technological factors; for example, the cultivar, the degree of fruit ripening and the extraction process utilized (AdamsPhillips et al, 2004;Bogs et al, 2005;Koundouras et al, 2006;Watson et al, 2002).…”

Management of Secretory Diarrhea

“…Isoquercitrin isolated from Psidium guajava showed spasmolytic effect on guinea pig ileum (Morales et al, 1994). Tiliroside (33) and (-)-epicatechin (37) obtained from Helianthemum glomeratum and Rubus coriifolius, respectively, showed antiprotozoal activity against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia (Alanis et al, 2003;Barbosa et al, 2007). Data obtained in this investigation suggest that (-)-epicatechine (37), isoquercitrin (35) and tiliroside (33) may play an important role in antidiarrheal of C. penthadactylon in Mexican traditional medicine.…”

Catechins and Proanthocyanidins: Naturally Occurring O-Heterocycles with Antimicrobial Activity

“…Similarly, (-)-EC and (+)-catechin, extracted from the aerial parts of Rubus coriifolius (a medicinal plant used by the Maya communities in southern Mexico to treat bloody diarrhea) were tested for their antiprotozoal activity against E. histolytica and G. lamblia. (-)-EC was suggested to be the main responsible for the antiprotozoal activity exhibited by the extract from this plant against both protozoa [98].…”