Planta Med 2014; 80 - P1M5
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394572

Antiviral diterpene polyesters from Corsican Euphorbia species

LF Nothias-Scaglia 1, 2, V Dumontet 1, P Leyssen 3, P Retailleau 1, JF Gallard 1, F Roussi 1, J Paolini 2, J Costa 2, M Litaudon 1
  • 1Centre de recherche de Gif, Institut de Chimie des Produits Naturels ICSN, CNRS UPR 2301, France
  • 2Laboratoire de Chimie de Produits Naturels, UMR CNRS SPE 6134, University of Corsica, 20250, Corte, France
  • 33 Laboratory for Virology and Experimental Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KULeuven, Minderbroedersstraat, B3000 Leuven, Belgium

The invasive tiger mosquito species, Aedes albopictus, is a serious health concern since it is one of the main vectors for the transmission of viral pathogens, such as dengue and chikungunya virus. In human, the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is responsible for an acute disease, characterized by a triad of fever, arthralgia and maculopapular rash. Currently, no specific antiviral therapy or vaccine are available [1]. In the course of identifying selective inhibitors of chikungunya replication, a previous phytochemical investigation of two Trigonostemon species (Euphorbiaceae) led to the characterization of new chlorinated daphnane orthoesters endowed with a potent antiviral activity [2,3]. This study aims at investigating the antiviral activities of Corsican Euphorbia species through bioactivity-guided purification of five Euphorbia EtOAc extracts.

Fig. 1: Jatrophane polyesters from E. amygdaloides ssp. semiperfoliata.

Fifty-two extracts were prepared from 9 Euphorbia species, and were evaluated for selective anti-CHIKV activity in a virus-cell-based assay. Several extracts exhibited potent inhibitory activity (EC90 < 0.8 µg/mL). Five bioactivity-guided purifications of EtOAc extracts afforded 51 terpenoids. From E. semiperfoliata ssp. semiperfoliata, thirteen jatrophane, three 4-deoxyphorbol polyesters and an unprecedent jatrophane polyester with intracyclic tetrahydropyran moiety. From E. biumbellata, four 4-deoxydaphnane orthoesters, three jatrophane, and six bishomojatrophane polyesters. From E. hyberna ssp. insularis, one lathyrane and one premyrsinane polyesters. From E. dendroides, seven jatrophane and four bishomojatrophane polyesters. Those compounds were purified by RP-HPLC and identified by MS, NMR and X-ray diffraction and their anti-CHIKV activity is under evaluation.

Acknowledgements: Territorial Collectivity of Corsica, PhD grant (L.-F. Nothias-Scaglia). ''Investissement d'Avenir'' grant by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (CEBA, ANR-10-LABX-25 – 01). Photo: E. amygdaloides ssp. Semiperfoliata; Dr. G. Paradis (Univ. Corsica).

References:

[1] Moro ML, et al. (2010) Int Health 2010; 2: 223 – 227

[2] Allard P-M, et al. (2012) Phytochemistry 2012; 84: 160 – 168.

[3] Bourjot M, et al. (2012)J Nat Prod 2012; 75: 2183 – 2187