Terpurinflavone: An antiplasmodial flavone from the stem of Tephrosia Purpurea

• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytol.2011.02.010
• Publication Date: 2011-04-14T23:59:51Z
• Authors: Wanyama P. Juma; Hoseah M. Akala; Fredrick L. Eyase; Lois M. Muiva; Matthias Heydenreich; Faith A. Okalebo; Peter M. Gitu; Martin G. Peter; Douglas S. Walsh; Mabel Imbuga; Abiy Yenesew
• Keywords: IC50

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 mu g/ml and 12.06 +/- 2.54 mu g/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 mu M (D6) and 6.26 +/- 2.66 mu M (W2). The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.