Antiprotozoal Polyacetylenes from the Tanzanian Medicinal Plant Cussonia zimmermannii

Abstract

From the petroleum ether extract of the root bark of Cussonia zimmermannii four polyacetylenes, 1- 4, were isolated, three of which ( 1- 3) were active against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium falciparum, and Leishmania donovani.

Antimicrobial and antimalarial activity of Cussonia species (Araliaceae)

“…It is interesting to note that those solvents which extracted more lipophilic compounds from the extracts yielded more potent inhibitory activity than the polar solvents. The petroleum ether root bark extract of Cussonia zimmermannii, dichloromethane leaf extract of Schefflera umbellifera and dichloromethane/methanol leaf extract of Cussonia spicata had IC 50 values of 3.3, 3.7 and 13 g/mL, respectively (Gessler et al, 1994;Clarkson et al, 2004;Senn et al, 2007). The former promising activity of Cussonia zimmermannii and isolated compounds was also noted for other protozoal species, namely trypanosomes and leishmania (Senn et al, 2007).…”

“…Polyacetylenes, flavonoids and saponins occur in several Cussonia species (Dadoun and Cave, 1972;Gunzinger et al, 1986;Haruna , 1994;Senn et al, 2007) and our own investigations have shown that the triterpenoid and flavonoid patterns are conservative. It therefore stands to reason to also explore additional species, other than those used ethnobotanically.…”

“…The petroleum ether root bark extract of Cussonia zimmermannii, dichloromethane leaf extract of Schefflera umbellifera and dichloromethane/methanol leaf extract of Cussonia spicata had IC 50 values of 3.3, 3.7 and 13 g/mL, respectively (Gessler et al, 1994;Clarkson et al, 2004;Senn et al, 2007). The former promising activity of Cussonia zimmermannii and isolated compounds was also noted for other protozoal species, namely trypanosomes and leishmania (Senn et al, 2007). A few authors have identified saponins in the genus, for example Dubois et al (1986) and Papajewski et al (1998).…”

In vitro activity of Tridax procumbens against promastigotes of Leishmania mexicana

“…Polyacetylenes are also synthesized de novo as phytoalexins (Ebel, 1986) and are known to possess antifungal, insecticidal, cytotoxic, antibiotic, nematicidal, antimycobacterial, phototoxicity, antimicrobial, neurotoxicity, antiprotozoal, and haemolytic activities (Hansen and Boll, 1986;Christensen and Brandt, 2006). There is only one report on leishmanicidal activity of C 17 -polyacetylenes isolated from Cussonia zimmermannii Harms, which showed to be very active (Senn et al, 2007).…”

Allenyl and Alkynyl Phenyl Ethers from the Endolichenic Fungus Neurospora terricola

“…[13][14][15] Studies on structure-activity relationships suggested that the introduction of the allenyl moiety could generate or enhance cytotoxicity of these compounds. 8 Alkynes are important bioactive natural products showing cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antiprotozoal effects [16][17][18] and are commonly used as the building blocks in synthesis of allenyl natural products. [19][20][21][22] Compounds 1-6 are the first secondary metabolites to be reported from the endolichenic fungus Neurospora sp.…”