Costaricine, a new antiplasmodial bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid from Nectandra salicifolia trunk bark

J Nat Prod. 1996 Jun;59(6):576-80. doi: 10.1021/np960195h.

Abstract

A MeOH extract of Nectandra salicifolia trunk bark, obtained during a diversity-based plant collection in a lower montane rainforest in Costa Rica, showed activity in an in vitro antiplasmodial assay measuring incorporation of [3H]-labeled hypoxanthie by Plasmodium falciparum. In addition to 15 known alkaloids isolated from samples of trunk bark, roots, and leaves/twigs of this species, a new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid (+)-costaricine [(+)-12-O-methyllindoldhamine] (1) was isolated from bark (0.038% yield) and from roots (0.001%). (+)-Costaricine was active in the antiplasmodial assay, with IC50 values of 50 ng/mL vs. the chloroquine-sensitive D6 clone and 294 ng/mL vs. the chloroquine-resistant W2 clone of P. falciparum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / isolation & purification*
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Costa Rica
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Antimalarials