Degradation of the neolignan, burchellin in the hemolymph of the bloodsucking insect Rhodnius prolixus.

Marise M O Cabral, Eloi S Garcia, Otto R Gottlieb, Alphonse Kelecom

Index: Fitoterapia 79(1) , 59-63, (2008)

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Abstract

The neolignan, burchellin, a natural compound that reduces urine excretion in larvae of the bloodsucking bug, Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas' disease, is rapidly degraded in the hemolymph of the insect. The main product that accumulates in this tissue has been shown to be piperonyl alcohol. Other catabolites have been identified by GC-MS analysis.