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Plant antimutagenic agents, 3. Coumarins
M E Wall1, M C Wani, G Manikumar
1Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 22709.
Journal of Natural Products
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Several plant-derived coumarins, including psoralen, imperatorin, and osthol, were tested for antimutagenic activity. These compounds effectively inhibited mutagenicity, particularly against benzo[a]pyrene, with no observed toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Coumarins are a diverse class of naturally occurring compounds found in various plants.
- Some coumarins exhibit biological activities, including potential antimutagenic properties.
- Assessing the safety and efficacy of natural compounds is crucial for drug discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify coumarins from plant extracts with potential antimutagenic effects.
- To evaluate the structure-activity relationships of isolated and available coumarins against mutagens.
- To determine the non-toxicity and inhibitory potential of these coumarins against specific mutagens.
Main Methods:
- Antimutagenic assay-guided fractionation of crude plant extracts.
- Isolation and structural elucidation of coumarins (psoralen, imperatorin, osthol).
- Structure-activity relationship studies using four different mutagens.
Main Results:
- Several coumarins were successfully isolated from Psoralea corylifolia and Selinum monniere.
- All tested coumarins demonstrated significant antimutagenic activity.
- High inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene mutagenicity was observed with these coumarins.
- No signs of toxicity were detected for any of the evaluated coumarins.
Conclusions:
- Plant-derived coumarins possess significant antimutagenic properties.
- These coumarins, particularly against benzo[a]pyrene, offer a promising avenue for chemoprevention.
- Further research into coumarin derivatives may yield novel therapeutic agents.