Planta Med 2003; 69(5): 470-472
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39719
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

In Vitro Trypanocidal Activity of Triterpenes from Miconia Species

Wilson Roberto Cunha1 , Camila Martins1 , Daniele da Silva Ferreira1 , Antonio Eduardo Miller Crotti2 , Norberto Peporine Lopes2 , Sérgio Albuquerque3
  • 1Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas da Universidade de Franca, Franca, SP, Brasil
  • 2Departamento de Física e Química da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
  • 3Departamento de Ciências da Saúde da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
Further Information

Publication History

Received: September 2, 2002

Accepted: January 25, 2003

Publication Date:
12 June 2003 (online)

Abstract

The bioassay-guided fractionation of methylene chloride extracts of Miconia fallax DC. and Miconia stenostachya DC. led to the isolation of five triterpene acids. The triterpenes ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and gypsogenic acid were active against blood trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. In contrast, the acetyl and methyl ester derivatives were not found to potentiate the trypanocidal activity. These results suggest the importance of the polar groups for activity.

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Prof. Dr. Wilson Roberto Cunha

Núcleo de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas da Universidade de Franca

Av. Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira 201

Parque Universitário

14404-600 Franca- SP

Brazil

Fax: +55-16-3711-8886

Email: wrcunha@unifran.br