Pyrone and unusually furanone-substituted flavones from the leaves of Hoslundia opposita.

Two new unusual 6-furanoflavones, hoslunfuranine (5) and 5-O-methylhoslunfuranine (6), were isolated from the leaves of Hoslundia opposita Vahl.. Four known methylpyranoflavonic analogues [hosloppin (1), hoslundin (2), 5-O-methylhoslundin (3), oppositin (4)], all specific of the species, were also obtained. Their structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. In vitro cytotoxic, trypanocidal, and leishmanicidal activities of compounds 1 and 3 to 6 were evaluated. Compounds 4 and 6 exhibited leishmanicidal potential in the micromolar range.

Composition, and antimicrobial and remarkable antiprotozoal activities of the essential oil of rhizomes of Aframomum sceptrum K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae).

The essential oil from the rhizomes of Aframomum sceptrum (Zingiberaceae) was analyzed by GC/MS, and its major constituents were found to be ß-pinene (12.7%), caryophyllene oxide (10.0%), and cyperene (6.0%). The oil was also evaluated for antimicrobial activities, in comparison with ß-pinene, caryophyllene oxide, and the leaf essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae). The A. sceptrum essential oil exhibited bacteriostatic activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and S. aureus, but not against Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, it showed mild fungicidal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigates, and remarkable antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (MLC of 1.51 µl/ml) and Trichomonas vaginalis (IC(50) of 0.12±0.02 and MLC of 1.72 µl/ml).