Studies on the effectiveness of diarylheptanoids derivatives against Leishmania amazonensis

In a previous work we demonstrated that diarylheptanoids extracted from Centrolobium sclerophyllum are very active against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. In order to continue our studies with these class of compounds, we decided to evaluate the activity of several diarylheptanoids derived from curcumin (diferuloyl methane) against the extracellular form (promastigotes) of L. amazonensis. Furthermore, an experiment against the intracellular form of the parasite (amastigotes) was carried out, comparing the most active compound among the curcumin derivatives (the methylcurcumin) with des-O-methylcentrolobine, the most active diarylheptanoid derived from C. sclerophyllum

Chemical constituents of Simarouba versicolor

From the roots, stems and fruits of Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) were isolated quassinoids (3, 5-7), triterpenoids (8-14), a mixture of steroids (15-17), the flavonoid kaempferol (18) and the squalene derivative 11,14-diacetoxy-7,10; 15,18-diepoxy-6,19-dihidroxy-6,7,10,11,14,15,18,19-octahydrosqualene (19). Spectral data were used for structural characterization.<br>Das raízes, galhos e frutos de Simarouba versicolor foram isolados quassinóides (3, 5-7), triterpenóides (8-14), uma mistura de esteróides (15-17), o flavonóide canferol (18) e o derivado esqualênico 11,14-diacetoxi-7,10;15,18-diepóxi-6,19-diidroxi-6, 7, 10.11, 14, 15, 18, 19-octaidroesqualeno (19). Dados espectrais foram usados para caracterização estrutural