Antiparasitic activity of biochanin A, an isolated isoflavone from fruits of Cassia fistula (Leguminosae)

Author(s)

Sartorelli, Patricia ^[1] ; Carvalho, Camila Salomone ^[2] ; Reimao, Juliana Quero ^[3] ; Pena Ferreira, Marcelo Jose ^[4] ; Tempone, Andre Gustavo ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Exatas & Terra, BR-09972270 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Ctr Univ FIEO, Ctr Estudos Quim, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Adolfo Lutz Inst, Dept Parasitol, Lab Toxinol Aplicada, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Quim Fundamental, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Parasitology Research; v. 104, n. 2, p. 311-314, JAN 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 29

Abstract

The fractionation through bioguided antileishmanial activity of the dichloromethane extract of Cassia fistula fruits (Leguminosae) led to the isolation of the active isoflavone biochanin A, identified by spectroscopic methods. This compound showed 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) value of 18.96 mu g/mL against promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) chagasi. The cytotoxicity of this substance against peritoneal macrophages resulted in an EC(50) value of 42.58 mu g/mL. Additionally, biochanin A presented an anti-Trypanosoma-cruzi activity, resulting in an EC(50) value of 18.32 mu g/mL and a 2.4-fold more effectiveness than benznidazole. These results contribute with novel antiprotozoal compounds for future drug design studies. (AU)