AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation by benzofurans and coumestans isolated from Erythrina abyssinica

J Nat Prod. 2010 Apr 23;73(4):598-602. doi: 10.1021/np900745g.

Abstract

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been proposed as a therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndrome including obesity and type-2 diabetes. The bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOAc-soluble extract of the stem bark of Erythrina abyssinica led to the isolation of a new coumestan, erythribyssin N (1), and two new benzofurans, erythribyssin F (2) and erythribyssin H (3), along with five known compounds (4-8). When tested for their stimulatory effects on AMPK activity at a concentration of 10 muM, compounds 4 and 5 showed potent activation, while compounds 1, 2, and 7 had moderate effects. These results suggest that benzofurans and coumestans may be new lead compounds for regulating the AMPK enzyme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / drug effects
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Benzofurans / isolation & purification*
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology*
  • Coumarins / chemistry
  • Coumarins / isolation & purification*
  • Coumarins / pharmacology*
  • Erythrina / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Plant Bark / chemistry
  • Uganda

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Coumarins
  • erythribyssin F
  • erythribyssin H
  • erythribyssin N
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • coumestan