Trypanocidal constituents in plants 3. Leaves of Garcinia intermedia and heartwood of Calophyllum brasiliense

The constituents of the leaves of Garcinia intermedia and heartwood of Calophyllum brasiliense were investigated based on their trypanocidal activity against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas' disease. As the active components, the polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative guttiferone A and the xanthone 8-desoxygartanin were isolated along with the biflavonoids podocarpusfiavone A and amentoflavone, and friedelin from the former. Three xanthones, jacareubin, 6-deoxyjacareubin, and 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)xanthone from the latter showed activity. The trypanocidal activity of these compounds against trypomastigotes, an infectious form of T cruzi, was examined as well as gossypol, berberine chloride, and harmine for comparison.