Constituents of Uncaria lanosa f. philippinensis and their anti-amyloidogenic activity

The aggregation of amyloid-beta (A beta) remains the most acceptable pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In search for natural products exhibiting anti-amyloidogenic effects, phytochemical analyses were conducted on Uncaria lanosa f. philippinensis leading to the purification of oxindole alkaloid uncarine E (isopteropodine) (1), the phenylethanoid tyrosol (2), the megastigmane vomifoliol (3), and the previously reported alkaloids mitraphylline and isomitraphylline. This is the first report of compounds 1-3 in the title plant, and tyrosol (2) from the genus Uncaria. Assessment of the anti-amyloidogenic potential using Thioflavin T assay showed 91% (at 50 mu M) and 70% (at 25 mu M) inhibitions for compound 1. Tyrosol (2) gave 76% (at 50 mu M) and 63% (at 25 mu M) inhibitions. These compounds may be further tested to elucidate their mechanism in the prevention of A beta aggregation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-amyloid aggregation activity of compounds 1 and 2.