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Of the five quassinoids isolated from the root bark of Hannoa klaineana, only 15-desacetylundulatone was found active against P388 mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells and colon 38 adenocarcinoma. Undulatone and especially 15-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-21-hydroxy-glaucarubolone were found to be more toxic while 6 alpha-tigloyloxy-glaucarubol and 21-hydroxyglaucarubolone were found inactive. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.

The antihepatotoxic activity of the rhizomes of Cochlospermum tinctorium was investigated using carbon tetrachloride- and galactosamine-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Because the methanol and ethanol extracts of C. tinctorium rhizomes exhibited antihepatotoxic effects, the former was fractionated in order to elucidate the active constituents. Polyphenol compounds (gallic and ellagic acids) were detected in the active fractions and may account for much of the antihepatotoxic activity. Carotenoids could also be implicated in the activity of the total extracts.

Mice were experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Comparisons were carried out of total body weight, weight of liver, spleen and left lung, number of adult worms and eggs, and size of liver granulomas between an untreated group and a group treated only with an alcoholic extract of Pavetta owariensis. In the treated group, liver granulomas were smaller for both the acute and chronic infections, indicating a modulation of the granulomatous reaction. A reduction of worm burden, especially of male worms was observed after treatment of chronically infected mice with the same extract.