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Trypanocidal terpenoids from Laurus nobilis L
Nahoko Uchiyama1, Keiji Matsunaga, Fumiyuki Kiuchi
1Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan.
Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|November 7, 2002
Summary
Dried Laurus nobilis leaves contain compounds that kill Trypanosoma cruzi. Researchers isolated three compounds, with a new hydroperoxide showing the strongest trypanocidal activity against the parasite.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae), commonly known as bay laurel, is a plant with a history of traditional medicinal uses.
- Trypanosoma cruzi is the parasite responsible for Chagas disease, a neglected tropical illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and isolate compounds from Laurus nobilis leaves with trypanocidal activity.
- To evaluate the efficacy of isolated compounds against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.
Main Methods:
- Activity-guided fractionation of a methanol extract from dried Laurus nobilis leaves.
- Isolation and structural elucidation of chemical constituents.
- Determination of minimum lethal concentrations (MLCs) against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.
Main Results:
- Three compounds were isolated: dehydrocostus lactone (1), zaluzanin D (2), and a novel p-menthane hydroperoxide, (1R,4S)-1-hydroperoxy-p-menth-2-en-8-ol acetate (3).
- The isolated compounds exhibited trypanocidal activity, with MLCs of 6.3, 2.5, and 1.4 microM, respectively.
- The new hydroperoxide (3) demonstrated the most potent activity against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.
Conclusions:
- Laurus nobilis leaves possess significant trypanocidal constituents.
- The novel p-menthane hydroperoxide isolated from Laurus nobilis is a promising candidate for further investigation as a potential anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agent.