In vitro evaluation of the antiparasitic activity of p-coumaric acid prenylated derivatives

We have evaluated eight p-coumaric acid prenylated derivatives in vitro for their antileishmanial activity against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes and their antischistosomal activity against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. Compound 7 (methyl 3,5-diprenyl-4-prenyloxycinnamate) was the most active against L. amazonensis (IC50 = 45.92 µM) and S. mansoni (IC50 = 64.25 µM). None of the tested compounds killed S. mansoni adult worms. Data indicated that the number of prenyl groups, the presence of hydroxyl at C9, and a single bond between C7 and C8 are important structural features for the antileishmanial activity of p-coumaric acid prenylated derivatives.