Terpurinflavone: An antiplasmodial flavone from the stem of Tephrosia Purpurea

• Published in: Phytochemistry letters 2011-06, Vol.4 (2), p.176-178
• Main Authors: Juma, Wanyama P., Akala, Hoseah M., Eyase, Fredrick L., Muiva, Lois M., Heydenreich, Matthias, Okalebo, Faith A., Gitu, Peter M., Peter, Martin G., Walsh, Douglas S., Imbuga, Mabel, Yenesew, Abiy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiplasmodial; Flavone; Leguminosae; Plasmodium falciparum; Stem; Tephrosia purpurea; Terpurinflavone
• ISSN: 1874-3900; 1876-7486
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytol.2011.02.010

A new antiplasmodial flavone ( 1) has been isolated from the stem of Tephrosia purpuira. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. [Display omitted] ► The isolation of a new flavone with a modified prenyl group from the stem extract Tephrosia purpurea. ► Characterization by the use of spectroscopic methods. ► Significant antiplasmodial activity for the new compound and other known flavones isolated from the stem extract of Tephrosia purpurea. The stem extract of Tephrosia purpurea showed antiplasmodial activity against the D6 (chloroquine-sensitive) and W2 (chloroquine-resistant) strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC 50 values of 10.47 ± 2.22 μg/ml and 12.06 ± 2.54 μg/ml, respectively. A new prenylated flavone, named terpurinflavone, along with the known compounds lanceolatin A, (−)-semiglabrin and lanceolatin B have been isolated from this extract. The new compound, terpurinflavone, showed the highest antiplasmodial activity with IC 50 values of 3.12 ± 0.28 μM (D6) and 6.26 ± 2.66 μM (W2). The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.