Antiplasmodial activity of labdanes from Aframomum latifolium and Aframomum sceptrum.

Bioguided fractionation of extracts of Aframomum latifolium and A. sceptrum (Zingiberaceae) resulted in isolation of (+)-( S)-nerolidol and seven labdanes, coronarin B, galanal A and B, galanolactone, ( E)-8beta,17-epoxylabd-12-ene-15,16-dial, (+)-( E)-labda-8(17), 12-diene-15,16-dial and its diethyl acetal, the latter being presumably an isolation artefact. The labdanes show a modest in vitro activity against a chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain.