Planta Med 2006; 72 - P_003
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949803

Antiparasitic Activity of Some Xanthones and Biflavonoids and Identification of a New Biflavanoid from the Root Bark of Garcinia livingstonei

L Pieters 2, ZH Mbwambo 1, MC Kapingu 1, MJ Moshi 1, F Machumi 1, S Apers 2, P Cos 3, D Ferreira 4, JPJ Marais 4, D Vanden Berghe 3, L Maes 3, A Vlietinck 2
  • 1Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • 2Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
  • 3Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
  • 4Department of Pharmacognosy and National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA

A new biflavanoid, ent-naringeninyl-(I-3,II-8)-4'-O-methylnaringenin (1), along with five known xanthones and two known biflavonoids, (+)-volkensiflavone and (+)-morelloflavone, was isolated from the root bark of Garcinia livingstonei (Clusiaceae) T. Anders., collected in Tanzania. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by CD spectroscopy. This compound showed a moderate activity against P. falciparum (IC50 6.0±1.7µM). Antitrypanosomal activity (IC50 0.87±0.23µM) was observed for 1,4,5-trihydroxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one. The dimeric xanthone garcilivin A showed a higher and non-selective antiparasitic activity and cytotoxicity (IC50 2.0±0.1µM against MRC-5 cells) than its diastereoisomer garcilivin C (IC50 52.3±5.5µM).