Isolation and Derivatization of Sesquiterpene Lactones from Neurolaena lobata.

Lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease endemic to Africa and South Asia, is a leading cause of disability worldwide. The Neurolenin Project focuses on the isolation and derivatization of naturally-occurring compounds called neurolenins from the plant Neurolaena lobata. Neurolenins display promising bioactivity against the parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis. Current work in the lab focuses on thiol addition, hydrogenation, and acetylation of neurolenins to further elucidate relationships between their chemical structure and bioactivity. A poster derived from lab research with Kevin Shea, Professor of Chemistry.