Biologically active diterpenes from Aspilia mossambicensis, a chimpanzee medicinal plant

Phytochemistry. 1992 Oct;31(10):3437-9. doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(92)83702-z.

Abstract

Two potent stimulators of uterine contraction, the diterpenes kaurenoic and grandiflorenic acids, were isolated from leaves of Aspilia mossambicensis. Their presence supports a hypothesis that wild chimpanzees consume Aspilia species for their pharmacological properties and may explain why female chimpanzees consume Aspilia leaves more frequently than do males. Thiarubrines were not present in any of the leaf samples collected in Mahale or Gombe National Parks, Tanzania, although these antifungal and nematocidal dithianes were found in significant amounts in roots.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diterpenes / chemistry
  • Diterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pan troglodytes*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Reproduction / drug effects
  • Uterine Contraction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Diterpenes
  • grandiflorenic acid
  • kaurenoic acid