In vivo Antimalarial and Antitrypanosomal Activity of Strychnogucine B, a Bisindole Alkaloid from Strychnos icaja.

Abstract

Strychnogucine B is a bisindole alkaloid previously isolated fromthat possesses promisingantiplasmodial properties. This compound was synthesized in four steps from (-)-strychnine. As no acute toxicity was observed at the highest tested cumulative dose of 60 mg/kg, itsantimalarial activity was determined intraperitoneally at 30 mg/kg/d in amurine model. In the Peters's 4-d suppressive test, this alkaloid suppressed the parasitaemia by almost 36% on day 5 and 60% on day 7 compared to vehicle-treated mice. In addition to this interesting antimalarial activity, it showed moderateantitrypanosomal activity but noactivity in an acutemodel. It was also inactiveonpromastigotes. This highlights its selective antimalarial efficacy and leads to further investigation to assess its potential as new antimalarial lead compound.