Planta Med 2012; 78 - PH1
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320660

Biotransformation of vulgarin

K Orabi 1, F El-Feraly 2, W Al-Sulmy 2, M Al-Yahya 2
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Microbial transformation studies of the eudesmanolide vulgarin (1) have revealed that it was metabolized by a number of microorganisms. Using a standard two-stage fermentation technique, Beauvaria bassiana (ATCC 7159) produced one more polar metabolite 2. Moreover, Hansenula anomala (ATCC 20170) partially converted vulgarin into another less polar metabolite 3 and a more polar one 4. These metabolites were characterized on the basis of their spectral data as 1-epi-tetrahydrovulgarin (1α,4α-dihydroxy-5αH,6,11βH-eudesman-6,12-olide, 2), dihydrovulgarin (4α-hydroxy-1-oxo-5αH,6,11βH-eudesman-6,12-olide, 3), and 3α-hydroxydihydrovulgarin (3α,4α-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5αH,6,11βH-eudesman-6,12-olide, 4). Metabolite 4 identity was further confirmed through chemical synthesis.