RESUMO
The emergence of resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis underscores the need for novel drugs that are effective against these microorganisms. As part of our screening programme of the flora of Puerto Rico, we tested a number of ethanol extracts of higher plants for antiplasmodial and antimycobacterial activities. A total of 40 extracts belonging to 23 plant families and 37 species were tested for antiplasmodial activity. Five extracts demonstrated activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro (50%-100% parasite suppression at 5 microg/mL). Another 63 extracts belonging to 30 plant families and 50 species were tested in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Two extracts were found to be active, Ficus citrifolia and Pisonia borinquena (85% or more inhibition of microbial growth at 100 microg/mL of extract).
Assuntos
Antimaláricos/farmacologia , Antituberculosos/farmacologia , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efeitos dos fármacos , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Plantas Medicinais , Plasmodium falciparum/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Antimaláricos/uso terapêutico , Antituberculosos/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Medicina Tradicional , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Testes de Sensibilidade Parasitária , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Estruturas Vegetais , Porto RicoRESUMO
From the bulbs and leaves of Hymenocallis expansa (Amaryllidaceae), three alkaloid constituents were identified: (+)-tazettine, (+)-hippeastrine, and (-)-haemanthidine. These alkaloids demonstrated significant cytotoxicity when tested against a panel of human and murine tumor cell lines.