HPLC-profiling for antiplasmodial compounds-3-Methoxycarpachromene from Pistacia atlantica

In the course of a medium throughput screen of 640 plant extracts for antimalarial activity an ethyl acetate extract of Pistacia atlantica DC. (Anacardiaceae) was found to be active. With analytical scale time-based HPLC separation and testing for antiplasmodial activity in combination with hyphenated methods (HPLC-PDA, -MSn, HR-MS, off line microprobe NMR) the active substance was identified. Subsequent isolation and structure elucidation yielded flavone 3-methoxycarpachromene. It had an IC50 of 3.4 mu M towards Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain. (C) 2009 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.