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Antituberculotic and Antiprotozoal Activities of Primin, a Natural Benzoquinone: In vitro and in vivo Studies
Author(s) -
Tasdemir Deniz,
Brun Reto,
Yardley Vanessa,
Franzblau Scott G.,
Rüedi Peter
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
chemistry and biodiversity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.427
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1612-1880
pISSN - 1612-1872
DOI - 10.1002/cbdv.200690124
Subject(s) - antiprotozoal , chemistry , in vivo , in vitro , benzoquinone , pharmacology , stereochemistry , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Primin (=2‐methoxy‐6‐pentylcyclohexa‐2,5‐diene‐1,4‐dione), a natural benzoquinone synthesized in our laboratory, was investigated for its in vitro antiprotozoal, antimycobacterial, and cytotoxic potential. Primin showed very potent activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense ( IC 50 0.144 μ M ) and Leishmania donovani ( IC 50 0.711 μ M ), and revealed low cytotoxicity ( IC 50 15.4 μ M ) on mammalian cells. Only moderate inhibitory activity was observed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Trypanosoma cruzi , and Plasmodium falciparum. When tested for in vivo efficacy in a Trypanosoma b. brucei rodent model, primin failed to cure the infection at 20 mg/kg given intraperitoneally. Primin was too toxic in vivo at a higher concentration (30 mg/kg, injected i.p. route) in mice infected with L. donovani. Taken together, primin can serve as a lead compound for the rational design of more potent and less toxic antiprotozoal agents.