Phytochemical and biological activity studies of the Bhutanese medicinal plant Corydalis crispa

Nat Prod Commun. 2012 May;7(5):575-80.

Abstract

The chemical constituents and biological activities of Corydalis crispa (Fumariaceae) were investigated for the first time. The phytochemical study resulted in the isolation of nine known isoquinoline alkaloids: protopine (1), 13-oxoprotopine (2), 13-oxocryptopine (3), stylopine (4), coreximine (5), rheagenine (6), ochrobirine (7), sibiricine (8) and bicuculline (9), with complete NMR data for 2 and 3 provided here for the first time. Crude extracts exhibitedsignificant anti-inflammatory (p < 0.01) activity against TNF-alpha production in LPS activated THP-1 cells. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of compounds 2, 4 and 7 and the antiplasmodial activity of compound 5 against P. falciparum strains TM4/8.2 and K1CB1 (multidrug resistant strain) are reported here for the first time. Stylopine (4) did not show antimalarial activity against the K1CB1 strain in contrast to a previous report. This study generated a scientific basis for the use of this plant in Bhutanese traditional medicine, either individually or in combination with other medicinal ingredients to treat a broad range of disorders. This study also identified compound 5 as potential new antimalarial lead compound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / analysis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology
  • Bhutan
  • Corydalis / chemistry*
  • Isoquinolines / analysis
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antimalarials
  • Isoquinolines
  • Plant Extracts