In vitro antimalarial activity of six Aspidosperma species from the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Abstract

Ethnomedicinal informations point to some Aspidosperma species (Apocynaceae) as antimalarial plants in Brazil and have motivated the evaluation of six species which were collected in the state of Minas Gerais: A. cylindrocarpon Müll. Arg., A. parvifolium A. DC., A. olivaceum Müll. Arg., A. ramiflorum Müll. Arg., A. spruceanum Benth. ex Müll. Arg. and A. tomentosum Mart.. A total of 23 extracts of different plant parts in different solvents were assayed in vitro against chloroquine-resistant (W2) and chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. All the extracts were shown to be active with IC 50 values in the range of 5.0 ± 0 2.8 µg/mL to 65.0 ± 4.2 µg/mL. TLC profile of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids in the six species assayed. These results seem to confirm the popular use of Aspidosperma species to treat human malaria in Brazil and seem point to alkaloids as the putative active compounds of the assayed species.

Aspidosperma (Apocynaceae) plant cytotoxicity and activity towards malaria parasites. Part I: Aspidosperma nitidum (Benth) used as a remedy to treat fever and malaria in the Amazon

“…Although “Indian beer” has been proven to act as a prophylactic in rodent malaria, in mice with sporozoite-induced infection and in vitro with sporozoite cultures ( Andrade-Neto et al 2008 ), its various crude extracts were clearly proven to be inactive against blood parasites in vitro and in vivo ( Krettli et al 2001 ). Crude extracts and fractions from other Aspidosperma species native to regions outside the malaria transmission area (in the state of Minas Gerais) have been proven to be active against malaria blood parasites ( Oliveira et al 2009 , Dolabela et al 2012 ). Similarly, extracts from Aspidosperma vargasii and Aspidosperma desmanthum were also shown to be active and are believed to be a source of economically affordable drugs against malaria.…”

Antimalarial Activity of Plant Metabolites

“…Cinchona plants are used as folk medicine in South America by the Peruvian Indians, and they were introduced to Europe in the 1700s [7]. Quinine is commercially obtained by solvent extraction from wild-growing Cinchona species in South America, or plants cultivated in Indonesia [8].…”

AmazonÂ’s Medicinal Plants: A New Solution for Malaria Treatment?

“…All this "inlander medicine" was inherited from the Indians, first habitants of this region, with the addition of African and European contributions, too. However, mostly of these plants have no studies that assess their antimalarial activity, toxicity and other relevant aspects [11]. Going through the same way, some ethnobotanical studies in the Brazilian's Amazon describe the ordinarily use of plants for malaria treatment and/or febrile diseases, highlighting Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Rhamnaceae, Iridaceae, and other families.…”

“…A significant number of species have displayed in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity. In general, the most promising species were those rich in alkaloids and quinines [11].…”