Premium
Aqueous degradation of isoflavonoids in an extract of Millettia thonningii (Leguminosae) which is larvicidal towards schistosomes
Author(s) -
Perrett Sheena,
Whitfield Philip J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.2650090603
Subject(s) - traditional medicine , chloroform , aqueous extract , chemistry , aqueous suspension , pharmacognosy , isoflavones , aqueous solution , botany , biology , biological activity , medicine , chromatography , in vitro , biochemistry , organic chemistry
A chloroform extract of the seeds of the West African legume Millettia thonningii has been shown to kill the snails which transmit the schistosomiasis and also the larvae of the parasite itself. This study examines the bioactivity of the chloroform extract of M. thonningii in aqueous non‐sterile conditions. Suspensions of the extract in water maintained larvicidal activity for long periods. HPLC analysis showed that over a period of 4 weeks in aqueous suspension, degradation of two of the compounds present, the isoflavonoids alpinumisoflavone and 4′‐methylalpinumisoflavone, occurred and bioactivity was eventually lost, indicating that these compounds are probably responsible for the bioactivity. These isoflavonoids are thought to act via inhibition of electron transport.