Abstract
A series of eight polyines, isolated from several plants and containing various furanyl,
thiophene, and spiro groups, were evaluated for antibiotic, antiviral, and cytotoxic
activities in the presence and absence of long wavelength ultraviolet light, UVA.
One compound, a furanopolyine, had impressive activity against a range of microorganisms,
and membrane-containing viruses, as well as cytotoxic activity. All of these properties
were UVA-dependent. Three other similar compounds had different patterns of UV-dependent
activity against the various organisms, but some of these could also be of use in
therapy of infectious diseases. In contrast, the dehydromatricaria esters and the
two spiro compounds had relatively little biological activity.
Key words
Photosensitizers - Asteraceae - polyines - antivirals - antibiotics
