Isolation of a novel flavanonol and an alkylresorcinol with highly potent anti-trypanosomal activity from Libyan propolis

Siheri, W. et al. (2019) Isolation of a novel flavanonol and an alkylresorcinol with highly potent anti-trypanosomal activity from Libyan propolis. Molecules, 24(6), 1041. (doi: 10.3390/molecules24061041) (PMID:30884752)

Abstract

Twelve propolis samples from different parts of Libya were investigated for their phytochemical constituents. Ethanol extracts of the samples and some purified compounds were tested against Trypanosoma brucei, Plasmodium falciparum and against two helminth species, Trichinella spiralis and Caenorhabditis elegans, showing various degrees of activity. Fourteen compounds were isolated from the propolis samples, including a novel compound Taxifolin-3-acetyl-4′-methyl ether (4), a flavanonol derivative. The crude extracts showed moderate activity against T. spiralis and C. elegans, while the purified compounds had low activity against P. falciparum. Anti-trypanosomal activity (EC50 = 0.7 µg/mL) was exhibited by a fraction containing a cardol identified as bilobol (10) and this fraction had no effect on Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (HFF), even at 2.0 mg/mL, thus demonstrating excellent selectivity. A metabolomics study was used to explore the mechanism of action of the fraction and it revealed significant disturbances in trypanosomal phospholipid metabolism, especially the formation of choline phospholipids. We conclude that a potent and highly selective new trypanocide may be present in the fraction.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was funded by the Libyan government in the form of a PhD studentship to WS.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Biddau, Dr Marco and Lawrence, Dr Catherine and Ebiloma, Mr Godwin and Muller, Professor Sylke and De Koning, Professor Harry

Creator Roles

De Koning, H. P.: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Writing – review and editing, Supervision
Ebiloma, G. U.: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing
Biddau, M.: Investigation
Lawrence, C. E.: Supervision
Muller, S.: Supervision

• Authors: Siheri, W., Ebiloma, G. U., Igoli, J. O., Gray, A. I., Biddau, M., Akrachalanont, P., Alenezi, S., Alwashih, M. A., Edrada-Ebel, R., Muller, S., Lawrence, C. E., Fearnley, J., Watson, D. G., and De Koning, H. P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Molecules
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1420-3049
• ISSN (Online): 1420-3049
• Published Online: 15 March 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Molecules 24(6): 1041
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License