Scientific Publications-2008-HAT

2008

Natural Products for Neglected Diseases: A Review by Ioset JR. Current Organic Chemistry 2008 May; 12 (8): 643-666.
Neglected diseases are responsible for high mortality and morbidity each year in low-income countries. Due to the lack of vaccines and of safe, effective and affordable treatments, there is an urgent need to reinforce the existing therapeutic arsenal against these killers. One of the main opportunities is through the discovery of new molecules from natural origin. The gaps identified in the R&D process aiming to deliver new medicines for neglected diseases however also apply to natural products. A key review of the most promising antiprotozoal molecules recently discovered from natural resources is presented here together with a critical update on their current development status.

New lycorine-type alkaloid from Lycoris traubii and evaluation of antitrypanosomal and antimalarial activities of lycorine derivatives by Toriizuka Y, Kinoshita E, Kogure N, Kitajima M, Ishiyama A, Otoguro K, Yamada H, Omura S, Takayama H. Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Dec 15; 16(24): 10182-9. Epub 2008 Oct 30.
A new lycorine derivative LT1 was isolated from the aerial part and bulbs of Lycoris traubii Hayward (Amaryllidaceae). Its structure including absolute configuration was established by spectroscopic analysis and semi-synthesis to be 1-O-(30S)-hydroxybutanoyllycorine. Some lycorine ester derivatives including LT1 were examined for their inhibitory activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the parasite associated with sleeping sickness, and against Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria.
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