Antileishmanial diterpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf

Abstract

The crude extracts of tubers of Aconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf were investigated for in vitro antileishmanial activity against Leishmania major. The dichloromethane extract at pH 2.5 showed antileishmanial activity with IC₅₀ value of 27.10 ± 0.0 μg/mL. Chromatographic purification of the dichloromethane extract led to isolation of three C-19 norditerpenoid alkaloids indaconitine (1), chasmaconitine (2) and ludaconitine (3). Compounds 3 and 2 showed antileishmanial activity with IC₅₀ = 36.10 ± 3.4 and 56.30 ± 2.1 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 1 was less effective (IC₅₀ > 100 μg/mL). The cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 2 and 3 studied against MCF7, HeLa and PC3 cancer cell lines and 3T3 normal fibroblast cell line did not show cytotoxicity at 30 μM.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Aconitum spicatum
• antileishmanial activity
• Leishmania major
• diterpenoid alkaloids

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Corrigendum

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The work was supported by the World Academy of Sciences for Developing World (TWAS) [grant number 11-010-RG/CHE/AS_G UNESCO FR: 3240262700]