The effect of psilostachyin, a natural sesquiterpene lactone, on the growth and viability of cultured epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen) is reported. The antiproliferative effect was evaluated by counting the parasites in a Neubauer chamber and measuring their viability by using the dye exclusion technique. The effect on parasite growth was irreversible at concentrations higher than ...

Five new dimeric sesquiterpene lactones, neojaponicone A (1) and japonicones M-P (2-5) were isolated from the aerial part of Inula japonica. Neojaponicone A (1) has an unprecedented carbon skeleton with an unusual valerolactone system formed between a guaianolide and an eudesmane. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were established by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data and comp...

Two new eudesmane derivatives (3 and 8) were isolated from the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Kaunia lasiophthalma Griseb, together with 14 known eudesmane, germacrane, and guaiane sesquiterpenes, and four flavones. The structures and relative configurations of all the compounds were established by NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The anticancer activity of sesqui...

The sesquiterpene compounds present in red wines were characterized and quantified by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction in combination with Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Sixteen sesquiterpenes were identified, mainly hydrocarbons but also derived oxygenated compounds. Sesquiterpenes were acyclic, monocyclic, byciclic and tryciclic. Sesquiterpenes were detected in SIM...

Copaifera officinalis, the diesel tree, is known for massive production of oleoresin, mainly composed of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In this study, composition of these sesquiterpenes and their concentrations in leaves, stems and roots of C. officinalis at two developmental stages, including the three-week old (TW) seedlings and two-year old (TY) trees, were determined. The leaves of TW seedlin...

We review the bio-activities of natural product sesquiterpenes and present the first description of their effects upon mitosis. This type of biological effect upon cells is unexpected because sesquiterpenes are believed to inactivate proteins through Michael-type additions that cause non-specific cytotoxicity. Yet, certain types of sesquiterpenes can arrest cells in mitosis as measured by cell ...

Osteolytic bone diseases are commonly presented with enhanced osteoclast formation and bone resorption. Sesquiterpene lactone natural compounds have been found to possess anti-inflammatory and immune-modulation effects. Here, we identified three germacrane sesquiterpenes using computer-based virtual screening for the structural similarity with sesquiterpene lactone, parthenolide. We showed that...

Objective: The genus Ferula L. includes perennial flowering plants belonging to the Apiaceae family. This genus is a rich source of biologically active phytochemicals such as sulfur-containing derivatives, coumarins, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, sesquiterpene coumarins, glucuronic acid, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, and daucane esters. Over the last decade, considerable attention h...

Chemical investigation of aerial parts of Schkuhria pinnata var wislizeni (Asteraceae) allowed the characterization of the sesquiterpene lactones 1, 2 and 5, the flavonoids 3 and 4, and the acyl phenyl propanoids 10 and 11. Structure 2, named dischkuhriolin, was confirmed as a Diels Alder adduct of 1 as dienophile and a guaianolide as diene. Spectroscopic analysis of 5 and its diacetyl derivati...

Medicinal plants have been widely employed in treating various diseases for centuries and are still a major resource and repository that can be further exploited for a variety of infectious and non-infectious ailments. The popularity of medicinal herbs has grown significantly in recent years despite a dearth of information regarding their modes of action and continuing concerns over their effic...