Synthetic derivatives of pulchrol: An antiparasitic natural product

Abstract

Natural products from plants are one of the most important sources of new leading therapeutic compounds. In Mexico Bourreria pulchra (Boraginaceae) is used to treat viral infections, fever and cutaneous diseases by the people of Yucatan [1]. An extract of its roots has been previously studied and the benzochromene pulchrol was isolated showing biological activity against Leishmania mexicana and Tripanozoma cruzi, parasites responsible for the neglected diseases Leishmania and Chagas [2]. After its isolation, pulchrol was synthesized by Killander [3]. In the present study, options of a total synthesis of pulchrol derivatives were studied in order to change the functional group's position, the size and nature on the three rings.