The fundamental research for development of new leishmanicidal medicine; Tropical Shiun-Ko

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07155
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47050:Environmental and natural pharmaceutical resources-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Science (2020-2021); Tokushima Bunri University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Mori-Yasumoto Kanami 東京理科大学, 薬学部薬学科, 講師 (70412393)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: リーシュマニア症 / 薬用植物 / 天然活性物質 / 熱帯感染症 / 抗リーシュマニア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research project, basic research was conducted to develop inexpensive tropical shiunkou using local plant resources. We investigated the leishmanicidal constituents from tropical plants and the ability of active known quinone compounds to induce Leishmania protozoan apoptosis. The protozoan mitochondrial membrane potential was investigated by JC-1 to evaluate the ability of the compound to induce apoptosis. Furthermore, from the plant extracts that showed activity in the preliminary test, the isolated structures of 23 active compounds from Plumbaginaceae and Legumes were determined, and their leishmanicidal activity was examined. The changes in membrane potential at JC-1 were investigated for isolated compounds and known active quinone compounds. In addition, in preparation for tropical shiunkou, the components of known active quinone compounds were quantified.

Free Research Field

天然物化学　薬用植物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、未だに明確な治療薬がなく顧みられない熱帯病であるリーシュマニア症に焦点を当て、現地の植物資源を用いて安価な「熱帯紫雲膏」を開発し、途上国の生活向上という社会実装を見据えた研究展開を行うための基礎研究である。発症国の植物資源から新たな治療薬の種を探し、有望な植物由来化合物を見いだした。また、原虫のアポトーシス誘導能を検討する試験法を検討した。