In vitro antimalarial activity of different extracts of Eremostachys macrophylla Montbr. & Auch.

Abstract

Introduction:The risk of drug resistance and the use of medicinal plants in malaria prevention and treatment have led to the search for new antimalarial compounds with natural origin. Methods:In the current study, six extracts with different polarity from aerial parts and rhizomes of Eremostachys macrophylla Montbr. & Auch., were screened for their antimalarial properties by cell-free β-hematin formation assay. Results: Dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of both parts of plant showed significant antimalarial activities with IC50 values of 0.797 ± 0.016 mg/mL in aerial parts and 0.324 ± 0.039 mg/mL in rhizomes compared to positive control (Chloroquine, IC50 = 0.014 ± 0.003 mg/mL, IC90 = 0.163 ± 0.004 mg/mL). Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the most potent part (DCM extract of rhizomes) by vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) afforded seven fractions. Sixty percent ethyl acetate/n-hexane fraction showed considerable antimalarial activity with IC50 value of 0.047 ± 0.0003 mg/mL. Conclusion: From 6 extracts with different polarity of E. macrophylla,s aerial parts and rhizomes, the DCM extract of both parts were the most active extract in this assay. The preliminary phytochemical study on the VLC fractions of the most potent part persuades us to focus on purifying the active components of these extracts and to conduct further investigation towards in vivo evaluation.

Bioactive Properties of Eremostachys macrophylla Montbr. & Auch. Rhizomes Growing in Iran

“…Pursuant to our previously published paper, phytochemical analyses of DCM extract of E. macrophylla rhizomes by GC-MS showed the presence of linear alkanes, fatty acids, steroids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and terpenoids as major active constituents. 19 Antioxidant, cytotoxic and antibacterial effects of fatty acids, steroids were confirmed previously. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Likewise, some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and terpenoids have been reported for these bioactive properties.…”

“…Medicinal uses of E. macrophylla in folk medicine comprise wound healing, snake bites, rheumatism and joint pains and our previous findings suggested antimalarial effect from the aerial parts and rhizomes of this species. 18,19 The objectives of this study was evaluation of some biological properties such as antioxidant, general toxicity, anti-proliferative and antibacterial effects of E. macrophylla rhizomes as a wild species growing in East Azarbaijan province of Iran. …”

Antiplasmodial and antipyretic effects of ethanol root extract and fractions of Setaria megaphylla (Steud) T. Dur and Schinz (Poaceae)

“…The antiplasmodial effect could be attributed to the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes and tannins [19,20]. Asnaashari et al [21] have reported the antimalarial effects of flavonoids against Plasmodium strains resistant to chloroquine. Flavonoids are believed to interfere with the fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS II) of the Plasmodium [21], inhibit entry of L-glutamine and myoinositol into infected red blood cells [22], elevate erythrocytes oxidation and interfere with Plasmodium protein synthesis [23].…”

Biological and Phytochemical Screening of Eremostachys azerbaijanica Rech.f. Aerial Parts

“…Traditional knowledge showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of rhizomes of various species of Eremostachys (1). Previous investigations reported the other biological properties such as antioxidant, antimalarial, anti-bacterial, antidepressant, and antinociceptive activities (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Phytochemical studies on the extracts of some species of this genus have indicated the presence of different natural compounds.…”

“…Phytochemical studies on the extracts of some species of this genus have indicated the presence of different natural compounds. The rhizomes of E. laciniata were an important source of iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and phytosterols (2,5,6). Ferulic acid derivatives, furanolabdane diterpene glycoside, iridoid glycosides, and phenylethanoid glycosides have been identified from the rhizomes of E. glabra (7)(8)(9).…”