Limonoid orthoacetates and antiprotozoal compounds from the roots of Pseudocedrela kotschyi

The dicholoromethane extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi root demonstrated marked antileishmanial properties in preliminary screening of extracts from 21 species commonly used in Malian traditional medicine. Phytochemical investigation of the active extract yielded three novel phragmalin-type limonoid orthoacetates (1-3), named kotschyins A-C, and the known compounds 7-deacetylgedunin (4) and 7-deacetyl-7-oxogedunin (5). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated by analytical methods including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy together with MS spectroscopy. The relative configurations of 1-3 were assigned on the basis of NOE correlations. The extract and the isolated compounds were tested for their antiprotozoal activities against Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Plasmodium falciparum as well as for cytotoxicity toward the L-6 cell line. The crude extract and the two gedunin derivatives exhibited good in vitro activity against all of these parasites.