Nematocidal activity of natural polyphenols from Bryophytes and their derivatives

The nematocidal in vivo activity of three natural perrottetins (phenolic bi sbibenzylethers) and eleven diphenyl ethers used as synthetic precursors ha s been assayed using two different experimental models, Caenorhabditis eleg ans and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Nine compounds showed some activity a gainst C. elegans and nine against N. brasiliensis. For the former model, t hree compounds displayed an activity similar to that of the standards, wher eas for N. brasiliensis none of the tested compounds was as active as the s tandards. From the in vitro results, five compounds (3, 4, 8, 9, 13) could be selected as lead compounds to continue the search far improved activity.