Tetrahdroxysqualene from Rhus taitensis shows antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis has become a major health problem, in particular with the emergence of extremely drug resistant tuberculosis (XDRTB). In our search for new therapeutic leads against TB, we isolated a new triterpene (1) from the plant Rhus taitensis collected in Papua New Guinea. Tetrahydroxysqualene (1) was isolated using bioassay-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of R. taitensis leaves and twigs. The structure of tetrahydroxysqualene (1) was elucidated on the basis of HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Tetrahydroxysqualene (1) exhibited antituberculosis activity with an MIC of 10.0 microg/mL, while showing only modest cytotoxicity.
Noro
Jeffrey C
JC
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, P.O. Box 5623, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea.
Barrows
Louis R
LR
Gideon
Osia G
OG
Ireland
Chris M
CM
Koch
Michael
M
Matainaho
Teatulohi
T
Piskaut
Pius
P
Pond
Christopher D
CD
Bugni
Tim S
TS
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D029045:Rhus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013185:Squalene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; C532714:tetrahydroxysqualene; D013185:Squalene