Flavonoids and Isoflavonoids with Antiplasmodial Activities from the Root Bark of Erythrina abyssinica

Abstract

From the root bark of Erythrina abyssinica a new pterocarpene [3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-10-(3,3-dimethylallyl)pterocarpene] and a new isoflav-3-ene [7,4′-dihydroxy-2′,5′-dimethoxyisoflav-3-ene] were isolated. In addition, the known compounds erycristagallin, licoagrochalcone A, octacosyl ferulate and triacontyl 4-hydroxycinnamate were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The crude extract and the flavonoids and isoflavonoids obtained from the roots of this plant showed antiplasmodial activities.

Key words

Erythrina abyssinica - Leguminosae - root bark - pterocarpene - isoflav-3-ene - 3-hydroxy-9-methoxy-10-(3,3-dimethylallyl) pterocarpene - 7,4′-dihydroxy-2′,5′-dimethoxyisoflav-3-ene - antiplasmodials

References

• 1 Winstanley P A, Ward S A, Snow R W. Clinical status and implications of antimalarial drug resistance.  Microbes Infect. 2002;  4 157-64
• 2 Trape J F, Pison G, Spiegel A, Enel C, Rogier C. Combating malaria in Africa.  Trends in Parasitology. 2002;  18 224-30
• 3 Sibley C H, Hyde J E, Sims P F, Plowe C V, Kublin J G. et al . Pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum: what next?.  Trends in Parasitology. 2001;  17 582-8
• 4 Mitscher L A, Simon K, Gollapudi S R, Okwute S K. A modern look at folkloric use of anti-infective agents.  Journal of Natural Products. 1987;  50 1025-40
• 5 Beentje H. Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianas. National Museums of Kenya Nairobi; 1994: 296-7
• 6 Kamat V S, Chuo F Y, Kubo I, Nakanishi K. Antimicrobial agents from an East African medicinal plant Erythrina abyssinica .  Heterocycles. 1981;  15 1163-70
• 7 Ichimaru M, Moriyasu M, Nishiyama Y, Mathenge S G, Juma F D, Nganga J N. Structure elucidation of new flavanones isolated from Erythrina abyssinica .  Journal of Natural Products. 1996;  59 1113-6
• 8 Moriyasu M, Ichimaru M, Nishiyama Y, Kato A, Mathenge S G, Juma F D, Nganga J N. Minor flavanones from Erythrina abyssinica .  Journal of Natural Products. 1998;  61 185-8
• 9 Yenesew A, Midiwo J O, Miessner M, Heydenreich M, Peter M G. Two prenylated flavanones from stem bark of Erythrina burttii .  Phytochemistry. 1998;  48 1439-43
• 10 Yenesew A, Midiwo J O, Guchu S M, Heydenreich M, Peter M G. Three isoflav-3-enes and a 2-arylbenzofuran from the root bark of Erythrina burttii .  Phytochemistry. 2002;  59 337-41
• 11 Yenesew A, Midiwo J O, Heydenreich M, Peter M G. Four isoflavones from the stem bark of Erythrina sacleuxii .  Phytochemistry. 1998;  49 247-9
• 12 Yenesew A, Midiwo J O, Heydenreich M, Schanzenbach D, Peter M G. Two isoflavanones from stem bark of Erythrina sacleuxii .  Phytochemistry. 2000;  55 457-9
• 13 Kokwaro J O. Medicinal Plants of East Africa. 2nd edn. Kenya Literature Bureau Nairobi; 1993: 158
• 14 Chulay J D, Haynes J D, Diggs C L. Plasmodium falciparum: assessment of in vitro growth by [³H]hypoxanthine incorporation.  Experimental Parasitology. 1983;  55 138-46
• 15 Desjardins R E, Canfield C J, Haynes J D, Chulay J D. Quantitative assessment of antimalarial activity in vitro by a semiautomated microdilution technique.  Anti-microbial Agents and Chemotherapy. 1979;  16 710-8
• 16 Stevenson P C, Veitch N C. Isoflavenes from the roots of Cider judaicum .  Phytochemistry. 1996;  43 695-700
• 17 Mitscher L A, Ward J A, Drake S, Rao S. Antimicrobial agents from higher plants. Erycristagallin, a new pterocarpene from the roots of the Bolivian coral tree, Erythrina crista-gallii .  Heterocycles. 1984;  22 1673-5
• 18 Asada Y, Li W, Yoshikawa T. Isoprenylated flavonoids from the hairy root cultures of Glycyrrhiza glabra .  Phytochemistry. 1998;  47 389-92
• 19 Wandji J, Nkengfack A E, Fomum Z T, Ubillas R, Killday K B, Tempesta M S. A new prenylated isoflavone and long chain esters from two Erythrina species.  Journal of Natural Products. 1990;  53 1425-9
• 20 Schwikkard S, van Heerden F R. Antimalarial activity of plant metabolites.  Natural Products Report. 2002;  19 675-92