Antiplasmodial, cytotoxic activities and characterization of a new naturally occurring quinone methide pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative isolated from Salacia leptoclada Tul. (Celastraceae) originated from Madagascar.
OBJECTIVE
To validate scientifically the traditional use of Salacia leptoclada Tul. (Celastraceae) (S. leptoclada) and to isolate and elucidate the structure of the biologically active compound.


METHODS
Bioassay-guided fractionation of the acetonic extract of the stem barks of S. leptoclada was carried out by a combination of chromatography technique and biological experiments in viro using Plasmodium falciparum and P388 leukemia cell lines as models. The structure of the biologically active pure compound was elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Biological screening of S. leptoclada extracts resulted in the isolation of a pentacyclic triterpenic quinone methide. The pure compound exhibited both in vitro a cytotoxic effect on murine P388 leukemia cells with IC50 value of (0.041±0.020) μg/mL and an antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant strain FC29 of Plasmodium falciparum with an IC50 value of (0.052±0.030) μg/mL. Despite this interesting anti-malarial property of the lead compound, the therapeutic index was weak (0.788). In the best of our knowledge, the quinone methide pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative compound is reported for the first time in S. leptoclada.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that furthers studies involving antineoplastic activity is needed for the development of this lead compound as anticancer drug.
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, P.O. Box 187, University of Toliara, 601 Toliara Madagascar; Malagasy Institute of Applied Research, Avarabohitra Itaosy lot AVB 77, P. O. BOX 3833, 102 Antananarivo Madagascar.
Fatiany Pierre
FP
Ruphin
Robijaona
R
Baholy
Andrianarivo
A
Emmanue
Raharisololalao
R
Amelie
Marie-Therese
MT
Martin
Ngbolua
N
Koto-te-Nyiwa
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D045563:Indolequinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008270:Madagascar; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects; D049918:Salacia / Q000737:chemistry*
D000962:Antimalarials; D045563:Indolequinones; D010936:Plant Extracts; C068040:quinone methide
Cancer; Madagascar; Malaria; Quinone methide; Salacia leptoclada; Therapeutic index