Alkaloids from Haplophyllum leptomerum

in Chemistry of Natural Compounds (2010), 46(3), 502-503

The plant Haplophyllum leptomerum is indigenous to Uzbekistan and produces alkaloids. This paper describes the isolation and structure determination of 7 alkaloids. Herein we report also the anticancer ... [more ▼]

The plant Haplophyllum leptomerum is indigenous to Uzbekistan and produces alkaloids. This paper describes the isolation and structure determination of 7 alkaloids. Herein we report also the anticancer properties of dictamnine that exhibited moderate activity against two human cancer lines : HeLa and HCT-116. [less ▲]

Application de la planification expérimentale et du design space pour la séparation des composés extraits des feuilles de Strychnos usambarensis

Poster (2009, December)

Plantes médicinales et paludisme

Conference (2009, October 07)

Antisickling properties of divanilloylquinic acids isolated from Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae).

in Phytomedicine : International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology (2009), 16(2-3), 125-129

Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. (syn. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides) (Rutaceae) is the most cited Fagara species for the treatment and the prevention of sickle cell disease crisis. Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a ... [more ▼]

Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. (syn. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides) (Rutaceae) is the most cited Fagara species for the treatment and the prevention of sickle cell disease crisis. Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a public health problem in many countries particularly in Africa. The present study was designed to evaluate the antisickling properties of three isomeric divanilloylquinic acids (3,4-O-divanilloylquinic acid or burkinabin A; 3,5-O-divanilloylquinic acid or burkinabin B and 4,5-O-divanilloylquinic acid or burkinabin C) identified previously by LC/MS/NMR analysis in the root bark of F. zanthoxyloides [Ouattara et al., 2004. LC/MS/NMR analysis of isomeric divanilloylquinic acids from the root bark of Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. Phytochemistry 65, 1145-1151]. The three isomers showed interesting antisickling properties which increased from burkinabins A to C. [less ▲]

In Vitro Anticancer Potential of Tree Extracts from the Walloon Region Forest.

in Planta Medica (2009), 75(15), 1634-1637

Forty-eight extracts from 16 common Belgian trees from the Walloon Region forest were evaluated for IN VITRO growth inhibitory activity against the human LoVo colon cancer, PC3 prostate cancer, and U373 ... [more ▼]

Forty-eight extracts from 16 common Belgian trees from the Walloon Region forest were evaluated for IN VITRO growth inhibitory activity against the human LoVo colon cancer, PC3 prostate cancer, and U373 glioblastoma cell lines. Our study was performed with the aim of selecting plant candidates in order to later isolate new anticancer compounds from an easily affordable tree material. Extracts from ALNUS GLUTINOSA (stem bark), CARPINUS BETULUS (leaves and stem bark), CASTANEA SATIVA (stem bark), FAGUS SYLVATICA (leaves), ILEX AQUIFOLIUM (leaves), LARIX DECIDUA (leaves), QUERCUS PETRAEA (stem bark), and QUERCUS ROBUR (leaves) showed for the first time potent IN VITRO growth inhibitory activity and could become easily affordable sources of potential new anticancer agents. Root extracts from ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA, already known for containing cytotoxic lectins, also showed interesting activity. [less ▲]

Fagraldehyde, a Secoiridoid Isolated from Fagraea fragrans

in Journal of Natural Products (2008), 71(12), 2038-2040

A secoiridoid aglycone with atypical skeleton, named fagraldehyde (1), together with several known secoiridoids (gentiopicroside (2), sweroside (3) and swertiamarin (4)) were isolated from the bark and ... [more ▼]

A secoiridoid aglycone with atypical skeleton, named fagraldehyde (1), together with several known secoiridoids (gentiopicroside (2), sweroside (3) and swertiamarin (4)) were isolated from the bark and leaves of Fagraea fragrans collected in Cambodia. The conformations of 1 were evaluated on the basis of molecular modeling and NOESY correlations. A hypothetical biogenesis of fagraldehyde was proposed to explain the unusual skeleton. Compound 1 was weakly active in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum. [less ▲]

Ethnopharmacologie et paludisme au Burkina Faso : sélection de 13 espèces à potentialités antiplasmodiales méconnues

in Ethnopharmacologia (2008), 41

Dans la recherche de nouvelles substances actives contre les Plasmodium, les flores non explorées du Sud constituent une source potentielle privilégiée de nouveaux médicaments antipaludéens. Dans ce ... [more ▼]

Dans la recherche de nouvelles substances actives contre les Plasmodium, les flores non explorées du Sud constituent une source potentielle privilégiée de nouveaux médicaments antipaludéens. Dans ce travail, nous avons suivi une démarche ethnopharmacologique afin de répertorier et de sélectionner des végétaux intéressants à étudier en laboratoire pour leurs propriétés antiplasmodiales. Notre travail de recensement des espèces utilisées contre la malaria au Burkina Faso nous a permis de répertorier 72 espèces végétales utilisées seules ou en association dans le traitement traditionnel du paludisme dans ce pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Finalement, treize espèces ont été sélectionnées et dix-sept échantillons végétaux ont été récoltés au Burkina Faso pour évaluation de leurs propriétés antiplasmodiales en laboratoire. Les principaux critères de sélection ont été : leur utilisation traditionnelle contre la malaria et le fait que ces plantes n’aient pas (ou peu) été étudiées sur le plan antiplasmodial. Les liens de chimiotaxonomie éventuels avec des plantes déjà connues pour leurs propriétés antiplasmodiales ainsi que les possibilités de valorisation des espèces au niveau local (MTA) ont également été considérés. [less ▲]

Potential antimalarial activity of indole alkaloids

in Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (2008), 102(1), 11-19

New antimalarial treatments are now urgently required, following the emergence of resistance to the most used drugs. Natural products contribute greatly to the therapeutic arsenal in this area, including ... [more ▼]

New antimalarial treatments are now urgently required, following the emergence of resistance to the most used drugs. Natural products contribute greatly to the therapeutic arsenal in this area, including artemisinin and quinine (and atovaquone, semi-synthetic). Among the natural products, indole alkaloids represent an interesting class of compounds. Screening carried out to date has revealed several substances active in vitro under the micromolar range and with a good selectivity index. This review covers the indole alkaloids with high antiplasmodial activity (in vitro and in vivo) isolated from natural sources, and is organized according to the different chemical structures of the alkaloids. [less ▲]

Evaluation of medicinal plants from Reunion Island for antimalarial and cytotoxic activities

in Planta Medica (2008), 74(9), 1002-1002

Screening of medicinal plants from Reunion Island for antimalarial and cytotoxic activity.

in Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2008), 120(3), 382-6

AIM OF THE STUDY: Nine plants from Reunion Island, selected using ethnopharmacology and chemotaxonomy, were investigated for their potential antimalarial value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight ... [more ▼]

AIM OF THE STUDY: Nine plants from Reunion Island, selected using ethnopharmacology and chemotaxonomy, were investigated for their potential antimalarial value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight extracts were prepared by maceration using CH(2)Cl(2) and MeOH, and were tested for in vitro activity against the 3D7 and W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The most active extracts were then tested for in vitro cytotoxicity on human WI-38 fibroblasts to determine the selectivity index. Those extracts were also investigated in vivo against Plasmodium berghei infected mice. RESULTS: Most active of the extracts tested were the dichloromethane leaves extracts of Nuxia verticillata Lam. (Buddlejaceae), Psiadia arguta Voigt. (Asteraceae), Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), the methanol extracts from Aphloia theiformis (Vahl) Benn. (Aphloiaceae) bark, and Terminalia bentzoe L. (Combretaceae) leaves displaying in vitro IC(50) values ranging from 5.7 to 14.1mug/ml. Extracts from Psiadia, Aphloia at 200mg/(kgday) and Teminalia at 50mg/(kgday) also exhibited significant (p<0.0005) parasite inhibition in mice: 75.5%, 65.6% and 83.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Two plants showed interesting antimalarial activity with good selectivity: Aphloia theiformis and Terminalia bentzoe. Nuxia verticillata still needs to be tested in vivo, with a new batch of plant material. [less ▲]