Barbellatanic acid, a new antitrypanosomal pseudo-disesquiterpenoid isolated from Nectandra barbellata, displayed interaction with protozoan cell membrane.

As part of our ongoing studies involving the discovery of new natural prototypes with antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi from Brazilian plant species, the chromatographic fractionation of hexane extract from leaves of Nectandra barbellata afforded one new pseudo-disesquiterpenoid, barbellatanic acid. The structure of this compound was elucidated by NMR and HR-ESIMS data analysis. Barbellatanic acid displayed a trypanocidal effect with IC of 13.2 μM to trypomastigotes and no toxicity against NCTC cells (CC > 200 μM), resulting in an SI value higher than 15.1. The investigation of the lethal mechanism of barbellatanic acid in trypomastigotes, using both fluorescence microscopy and spectrofluorimetric analysis, revealed a time-dependent permeation of the plasma membrane. Based on these results, this compound was incorporated in cellular membrane models built with lipid Langmuir monolayers. The interaction of barbellatanic acid with the models was inferred by tensiometric, rheological, spectroscopical, and morphological techniques, which showed that this compound altered the thermodynamic, viscoelastic, structural, and morphological properties of the film. Taking together, these results could be employed when this prodrug interacts with lipidic interfaces, such as protozoa membranes or liposomes for drug delivery systems.