<it>Icacina senegalensis </it>(Icacinaceae), traditionally used for the treatment of malaria, inhibits <it>in vitro Plasmodium falciparum </it>growth without host cell toxicity

• Main Authors: Candolfi Ermanno, Diop Yérim M, Zhao Minjie, Ennahar Saïd, Fall Ibrahima, Perrotey Sylvie, Sarr Serigne O, Marchioni Eric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-04-01
• Series: Malaria Journal
• Online Access: http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/1/85

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With the aim of discovering new natural active extracts against malaria parasites, <it>Icacina senegalensis </it>was selected after an ethnopharmacological survey conducted on plants used in traditional malaria treatment in Senegal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Different concentrations of the plant extract and fractions were tested on synchronized <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>cultures at the ring stage using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay. Their haemolytic activity and <it>in vitro </it>cytoxicity were evaluated. The chromatographic profiles of active fractions were also established.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The plant extract and fractions revealed anti-plasmodial activity (IC₅₀< 5 μg/mL) with no toxicity (Selectivity indexes >10). The dichloromethane fraction showed stronger anti-plasmodial activity than the total extract.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Anti-plasmodial activity and toxicity of <it>I. senegalensis </it>are reported for the first time and showed promising results in malaria field research.</p>