Download PDF
Planta Med 1991; 57(1): 69-73
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-960022
Papers

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Ultraviolet-Dependent Biological Activities of Selected Polyines of the Asteraceae

J. B. Hudson1 , E. A. Graham1 , J. Lam3 , G. H. N. Towers2
  • 1Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Britisch Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V5Z 1M9
  • 2Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  • 3Chemical Institute, University of Århus, Århus, Denmark
Further Information

Publication History

1989

Publication Date:
05 January 2007 (online)

  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

A series of eight polyines, isolated from several plants and containing various furanyl, thiophene, and spiro groups, were evaluated for antibiotic, antiviral, and cytotoxic activities in the presence and absence of long wavelength ultraviolet light, UVA. One compound, a furanopolyine, had impressive activity against a range of microorganisms, and membrane-containing viruses, as well as cytotoxic activity. All of these properties were UVA-dependent. Three other similar compounds had different patterns of UV-dependent activity against the various organisms, but some of these could also be of use in therapy of infectious diseases. In contrast, the dehydromatricaria esters and the two spiro compounds had relatively little biological activity.

Key words

Photosensitizers - Asteraceae - polyines - antivirals - antibiotics

      >