Anti-malarial activity of Holarrhena antidysenterica and Viola canescens, plants traditionally used against malaria in the Garhwal region of north-west Himalaya

Abstract

BackgroundThe increasing number of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium strains warrants exploration of new anti-malarials. Medicinal plant research has become more important, particularly after the development of Chinese anti-malarial drug artemisnin from Artemisia annua. The present study shows evaluation of anti-malarial effects of two plants commonly used against malaria in the Garhwal region of north-west Himalaya, in order to discover the herbal-based medicine.MethodsIn vitro anti-plasmodial sensitivity of plant extracts was assessed using schizont maturation and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. Cytotoxic activities of the examined extracts were determined on L-6 cells of rat skeletal muscle myoblast. The 4-day test for anti-malarial activity against a chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK65 strain in Swiss albino mice was used for monitoring in vivo activity of plant extracts.ResultsChloroform extract of H. antidysenterica (HA-2) and petroleum ether extract of V. canescens (VC-1) plants significantly reduced parasitaemia in P. berghei infected mice. The extract HA-2 showed in vitro anti-plasmodial activity with its IC50 value 5.5 μg/ml using pLDH assay and ED50 value 18.29 mg/kg in P. berghei infected Swiss albino mice. Similarly petroleum ether extract of V. canescens (VC-1) showed in vitro anti-plasmodial activity with its IC50 value 2.76 μg/ml using pLDH assay and ED50 15.8 mg/kg in P. berghei infected mice. The extracts coded as HA-2 at 30 mg/kg and VC-1 at 20 mg/kg exhibited parasite inhibition in mice: 73.2% and 63.0% respectively. Of these two plant extracts, petroleum ether extract of V. canescens was found slightly cytotoxic.ConclusionThe present investigation reflects the use of these traditional medicinal plants against malaria and these plants may work as potential source in the development of variety of herbal formulations for the treatment of malaria.

Prospecting for Bioactive Constituents from Traditional Medicinal Plants through Ethnobotanical Approaches

“…48) This result could provide a pharmacological basis to inhibit PRRSV replication. 27) In addition, many other plant-derived substances from TMPs such as Murraya koenigii, Erythrina caffra, Corydalis saxicola, Larrea tridentate, Holarrhena antidysenterica, and Melampyrum arvense exerted antiviral, 49,50) antibacterial, 51,52) and antiprotozoal 53,54) activities.…”

“…The best classical example is that of Catharanthus roseus (Apocynaceae), used by people indigenous to southeastern Madagascar as an oral hypoglycemic agent. After laboratory research was conducted on the plant, it was found to contain more than 75 alkaloids, among which vinblastine (52) and vincristine (53) (Fig. 8) have shown high rates of success in treating childhood leukemia and Hodgkin's disease.…”

Evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of Holarrhena antidysenterica (Wall.): A comprehensive review

“…27 Chloroform bark extract demonstrated the greatest anti-plasmodial activity, with an average IC 50 value of 5.7 mg/ml in the in vitro experiment and 70% suppression of parasitaemia in the in vivo experiment when administered at 30 mg/kg. 27 …”

Study of Bioactivities of Holarrhena pubescence Growing in Bangladesh

“…1 Its stem bark has been well reported for antibacterial, antidiarrheal, anti-malarial, muscle relaxant, CNS depressant activities. [2][3][4][5][6] Seeds of this plant has potentials for free radical scavenging, anti-diabetic, hypoglycemic, antidiuretic, anti-hyperlipi-dimic and in vivo and in vitro anti-urolithic activities. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Leaves of H.…”