Antiplasmodial Triterpenoids from the Fruits of Neem, Azadirachta indica

Abstract

Eight known and two new triterpenoid derivatives, neemfruitins A (9) and B (10), have been isolated from the fruits of neem, Azadirachta indica, a traditional antimalarial plant used by Asian and African populations. In vitro antiplasmodial tests evidenced a significant activity of the known gedunin and azadirone and the new neemfruitin A and provided useful information about the structure-antimalarial activity relationships in the limonoid class.

Azadirone, a Limonoid Tetranortriterpene, Induces Death Receptors and Sensitizes Human Cancer Cells to Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL) through a p53 Protein-independent Mechanism

“…The tetranortriterpene has been shown to exhibit antifeedant activity against Mexican bean beetles, Epilachna varivestis (27,32). The limonoid has also been shown to possess antimalarial activity in in vitro antiplasmodial tests (33). In another study, the limonoid was shown to possess potent anticancer activity against breast cancer, melanoma, and prostate cancer cell lines (34).…”

New triterpenoids from the kernels of Azadirachta indica

“…[2][3][4] During the past four decades, more than 200 compounds, including terpenoids, 1 flavones, 5 steroids, 6 coumarins 7 and polysaccharides 8 had been isolated from different parts of A. indica, and some of them showed the significant bioactivities such as insecticides, 1,9,10 antifungal, 1,3 antitumor 1,2,11,12 and antimalarial. 1,13,14 Azadirachtin, as a well known natural pesticide, 3,15 was always extracted from the kernels of A. indica. However, we recently noticed that the kernals after extracting azadirachtin were always disposed as waste without good use.…”

15N-labelled pyrazines of triterpenic acids

“…Because of their high activities and reasonable availability, we choose representatives of the most important terpenic acids: from lupane group, we used betulinic acid (3) and dihydrobetulinic acid (4); from oleanane group, we used oleanolic acid (5) and morolic acid (6); from ursane group we used ursolic acid (7); from taraxastane group, we used heterobetulinic acid (8). In addition, we used non-acid terpenes such as oxoalloheterobetulon 15 and allobetulon 16.…”

“…These derivatives were shown to have many biological activities such as anticancer [2], antiviral [3], antifungal [4], antimalarial [5], antifeedant [6] and many others [7]. In our research group, we pay most attention to cytotoxic active derivatives of triterpenes.…”