In vitro antiprotozoal activity of abietane diterpenoids isolated from Plectranthus barbatus Andr

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 May 12;15(5):8360-71. doi: 10.3390/ijms15058360.

Abstract

Chromatographic separation of the n-hexane extract of the aerial part of Plectranthus barbatus led to the isolation of five abietane-type diterpenes: dehydroabietane (1); 5,6-didehydro-7-hydroxy-taxodone (2); taxodione (3); 20-deoxocarnosol (4) and 6α,11,12,-trihydroxy-7β,20-epoxy-8,11,13-abietatriene (5). The structures were determined using spectroscopic methods including one- and two-dimensional NMR methods. Compounds (1)-(3) and (5) are isolated here for the first time from the genus Plectranthus. The isolated abietane-type diterpenes tested in vitro for their antiprotozoal activity against erythrocytic schizonts of Plasmodium falciparum, intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi and free trypomastigotes of T. brucei. Cytotoxicity was determined against fibroblast cell line MRC-5. Compound (2) 5,6-didehydro-7-hydroxy-taxodone showed remarkable activity with acceptable selectivity against P. falciparum (IC50 9.2 µM, SI 10.4) and T. brucei (IC50 1.9 µM, SI 50.5). Compounds (3)-(5) exhibited non-specific antiprotozoal activity due to high cytotoxicity. Compound (1) dehydroabietane showed no antiprotozoal potential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / chemistry*
  • Abietanes / isolation & purification
  • Abietanes / pharmacology*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Leishmania infantum / drug effects
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
  • Plectranthus / chemistry*
  • Trypanosoma / drug effects

Substances

  • Abietanes
  • Antiprotozoal Agents