Synthesis and anti-plasmodial activity of 8 beta, 13 beta-dihydroxypodocarpane derivatives

8 beta, 13 beta-Dihydroxypodocarpane and eight C-13 substituted derivatives were prepared from the precursor 8 beta-hydroxy-13-podocarpanone synthesised from the naturally occurring diterpene (+)-manool. The synthetic compounds exhibited a range of anti-plasmodial activities (IC(50) 1-29 mu M) and only induced minimal haemolysis of erythrocytes at concentrations 50 and 100 mu M. No changes in the morphology of erythrocytes were detected at sub-haemolytic concentrations.