Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a naturally abundant plant phenolic
compound and it is well known as a component of hydrolyzable tannins. We report here
that gallic acid and related compounds have trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (GUTat 3.1) in both the long slender bloodstream forms and the procyclic forms, in vitro. LD50 values of gallic acid are 46.96 ± 1.28 µM for bloodstream forms and 30.02 ± 3.49
for procyclic forms, respectively. A study of structurally related compounds suggested
that the pyrogallol moiety could be responsible for this activity.
Gallic acid -
Trypanosoma brucei brucei
- trypanocidal activity - bloodstream forms - procyclic forms
