|
Professor
Vichai Reutrakul began his career
as a lecturer in chemistry in the Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science,
Mahidol University, where he is now
a full professor. The research program
is directed exploratory research in
basic synthetic organic chemistry
and bioactive natural products. The
directed exploratory research in basic
synthetic organic chemistry involves
the development of new synthetic methodologies
based on the fundamental properties
of -halosulfonyl and sulfinyl carbanions,
samarium dienolate, -sulfonyl radical
and difluoro-methylene radical. Recent
preliminary investigation on the chemistry
of samarium dienolate led to the potentially
useful methods for the synthesis of
anti-1,3-diolmonoester (Aldol-Tischenko
reaction), and 1,3-aminoketone (samarium
catalyzed Mannich reaction) and hence
the 1,3-amino alcohol. These functional
groups are prevalent in bioactive
natural products. The scope and limitations
of these reactions will be explored.
The investigation on the chemistry
of the difluoromethylene radical indicates
that the reaction is potentially useful
for the synthesis of gemdifluoro methylene
compounds.
The studies toward the total synthesis
of natural products will involve the
exploratory research on the synthesis
of anti-HIV pyranonaphthoquinones
and the antitumor caged xanthones.
The synthetic endeavor will provide
the comounds and their analogues for
further biological evaluations.
The drug discovery program has
been and will be focused on the search
for lead structures from plants with
the following biological activities:
anti-HIV, antitumor, anti-inflammatory,
antimicrobial and antioxidant. The
investigation will concentrate on
plants from the genera: Gardenia,
Polyalthia, Garcinia and Ventilago.
Plants species that are currently
under investigation are Ventilago
harmandiana, Garcinia hanburyi, Mallotus
spodocarpus, Ochna intergerrima and
Diospyros variegata. Compounds from
V. harmandiana and M. spodocarpus
show promising anti-HIV and antitumor
activities, respectively. Further
development of these and other compounds
will be undertaken. The drug discovery
program is being carried out under
a collaborative network involving
researchers from Mahidol University,
Chiangmai University, Khon Kaen University,
Prince of Songkhla University and
the Rajabhat Institute, Surathani.
Patenting some of the novel natural
products will be considered. Compounds
with anti-inflamatory, antimicrobial
and antioxidant activities are potentially
useful for cosmeceuticals and fruit
preservation. These research results
will be developed for public benefits
and for local small companies.
|
SC Webmaster Team
