Trypanocidal Activity of Flavokawin B, a Component of Polygonum ferrugineum Wedd

The trypanocidal potential of the natural chalcone flavokawin B, which was isolated from the hexanic extract of Polygonum ferrugineum Wedd., is reported here. Although flavokawin B is widespread, this is the first report about its trypanocidal properties on both Trypanosoma cruzi (IC50 = 9.5 mu M, IC50 = 34.7 mu M benznidazol, Y strain) epimastigotes and Trypanosoma brucei (IC50 = 4.8 mu M, IC50 = 6.4 mu M pentamidine, 29-13 strain) procyclic forms, which was also corroborated on T. brucei strain 427 (IC50 = 6.2 mu M). In order to learn more about its properties, unspecific cytotoxicity on Hep G2 cells was investigated as well as the trans-splicing inhibitory potential on T. brucei cells. The results shown here point to flavokawin B as a candidate in the search for new agents. It is also cheaper and less toxic than the available drugs to treat trypanosomiasis with a special focus on sleeping sickness disease.