Abstract

ANTI-PLASMODIAL PHYTOCHEMICAL AGENTS - THE EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR DRUG-RESISTANT PLASMODIAL CONTROL

Professor Linz-Buoy George*, Deval Mehta, Dr. Dhara Jani and Professor Hyacinth Highland

Abstract

Background: According to the WHO Malaria Report 2016, nearly half of the world's population was at risk of malaria and specifically a higher risk was seen in countries of Africa and South-East Asia. In 2015, 91 countries were reported to have ongoing malaria transmission. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible anti-plasmodial efficacy of certain selected plant extracts. Materials and Methods: In the present study, the in vitro antiplasmodial efficacy of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of selected plants, Tylophora indica, Plumeria rubra, Xanthium strumarium and Ephedra foliata was tested against MRC-2, 3D7 (CQsensitive) and RKL-9 (CQ-resistant) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard qualitative tests and HPTLC analysis was done using a Camag-5 system, complemented with Win CATS evaluation software (Version 1.4.6.8121). The total protein and haemoglobin content, as well as specific oxidative stress parameters were estimated. Results: The data indicated that the hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the selected plant extracts showed effective in vitro action in curbing the proliferation of the Plasmodium parasite, even that of the drug resistant strains. The Tylophora indica hydro-alcoholic extract showed the most significant efficacy with EC50 2.364 μg/ml and 2.389 μg/ml (3D7 and RKL-9 respectively). The extracts tested also manifested potent anti-oxidant activity correlated with the rich photochemical content. The various phytocomponents identified in the extracts were potent anti-oxidants that may be responsible for the in-vitro anti-plasmodial activity of the plant extracts. Conclusion: The study revealed that the selected plant extracts are rich sources of secondary metabolites/phytocomponents which can provide promising lead molecules in the quest for a safe, cost-effective, potent anti-plasmodial agent.

Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum, Plant extracts, anti-oxidant activity, HPTLC, phytochemicals.