Inhibition of chitin synthase II by catechins from stem bark of Taxus cuspidata

Abstract

Two flavonoids, (±)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin, were isolated from the stem bark of Taxus cuspidata by monitoring chitin synthase 11 inhibitory activity. The compounds inhibit chitin synthase II with an IC50 of 15 and 29 μg/ml, respectively and appear to be selective for chitin synthase II. They did not inhibit chitin synthase III.