Anti-plasmodial activity of Norcaesalpin D and extracts of four medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of malaria
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Date
2017-03-24
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BMC complementary and alternative medicine
Abstract
Background: Malaria is an old life-threatening parasitic disease that is still affecting many people, mainly children
living in sub-Saharan Africa. Availability of effective antimalarial drugs played a significant role in the treatment and
control of malaria. However, recent information on the emergence of P. falciparum parasites resistant to one of the
artemisinin-based combination therapies suggests the need for discovery of new drug molecules. Therefore, this
study aimed to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of extracts, fractions and isolated compound from medicinal
plants traditionally used in the treatment of malaria in Tanzania.
Methods: Dry powdered plant materials were extracted by cold macerations using different solvents. Norcaesalpin
D was isolated by column chromatography from dichloromethane root extract of Caesalpinia bonducella and its
structure was assigned based on the spectral data. Crude extracts, fractions and isolated compound were evaluated
for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum (3D7), chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum
(Dd2, K1) and artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum (IPC 5202 Battambang, IPC 4912 Mondolkiri) strains using the
parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay.
Results: The results indicated that extracts of Erythrina schliebenii, Holarrhena pubescens, Dissotis melleri and C.
bonducella exhibited antiplasmodial activity against Dd2 parasites. Ethanolic root extract of E. schliebenii had an IC 50
of 1.87 μg/mL while methanolic and ethanolic root extracts of H. pubescens exhibited an IC 50 = 2.05 μg/mL and
IC 50 = 2.43 μg/mL, respectively. Fractions from H. pubescens and C. bonducella roots were found to be highly active
against K1, Dd2 and artemisinin-resistant parasites. Norcaesalpin D from C. bonducella root extract was active with
IC 50 of 0.98, 1.85 and 2.13 μg/mL against 3D7, Dd2 and IPC 4912-Mondolkiri parasites, respectively.
Conclusions: Antiplasmodial activity of norcaesalpin D and extracts of E. schliebenii, H. pubescens, D. melleri and C.
bonducella reported in this study requires further attention for the discovery of antimalarial lead compounds for
future drug development.
Keywords: Antiplasmodial, norcaesalpin D, E. schliebenii, H. pubescens, D. melleri, C. bonducella
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Keywords
Antiplasmodial, H. pubescens, Norcaesalpin D
Citation
Nondo, R.S.O., Moshi, M.J., Erasto, P., Masimba, P.J., Machumi, F., Kidukuli, A.W., Heydenreich, M. and Zofou, D., 2017. Anti-plasmodial activity of Norcaesalpin D and extracts of four medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of malaria. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 17, pp.1-8.