Cytotoxic kurubasch aldehyde from Trichilia emetica

Abstract

Kurubasch aldehyde, a sesquiterpenoid with an hydroxylated humulene skeleton, was isolated as free alcohol from Trichilia emetica Vahl. (Meliaceae), belonging to the order Sapindales. Related substances have been previously found in plants as esters of aromatic acids, and these plants were species belonging to the distant order Apiales. This is the first report of humulenes found in the genus Trichilia and only the second of humulenes in the order Sapindales. The aldehyde is a modest inhibitor of the growth of Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀ 76 µM) and slow-proliferating breast cancer cells MCF₇ (78 µM), but a potent inhibitor of proliferation of S180 cancer cells (IC₅₀ 7.4 µM).

Keywords:

• Trichilia emetica
• Kurubasch aldehyde
• Antiplasmodial activity
• Cytotoxicity

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Danida, Carlsbergfondet and Apotekerfonden af 1991.