Planta Med 2022; 88(14): 1341-1347
DOI: 10.1055/a-1792-3214
Natural Product Chemistry and Analytical Studies
Original Papers

Identification of Anticryptococcal Bornyl Compounds from Verbesina turbacensis and Their Structure-Activity Relationships

Chelsea N. Powers
1   Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
,
John A. Mayo
1   Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
,
Debra M. Moriarity
2   Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
,
Bernhard Vogler
1   Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
,
William N. Setzer
1   Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
,
Robert L. McFeeters
1   Department of Chemistry, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
› Author Affiliations
Supported by: University of Alabama in Huntsville

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that has limited treatment options. Natural product plant extracts offer a cost-effective option for the discovery of new anticryptococcal lead compounds. The acetone bark extract of Verbesina turbacensis was found to potently inhibit C. neoformans and was subjected to bioautography. Two compounds that inhibited the growth of C. neoformans were isolated and displayed minimum inhibitory concentration values of 10 and 310 µg/mL. The compounds were identified as the bornyl hydroxycinnamic esters bornyl caffeate and bornyl ferulate, respectively. To better understand initial structure-activity relationships, anticryptococcal activity was characterized for similar compounds. All compounds were further evaluated for mammalian cell toxicity using the MTT assay with MCF-7 and HEK-293 cell lines. Overall, bornyl caffeate demonstrated promising anticryptococcal potential given its potent inhibition of C. neoformans and low mammalian cell toxicity.

Supporting Information



Publication History

Received: 25 September 2021

Accepted after revision: 21 February 2022

Article published online:
25 April 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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