In vitro antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic extracts of seaweed macroalgae against Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Malaria is a major health problem in many developing countries. The drugs resistant Plasmodium falciparum causes the most virulent form of malaria in humans and it is described as a public health disaster causing increased morbidity and mortality. Thirteen seaweeds species which belong to four different families (Rhodomelaceae, Cladophoraceae, Ulvaceae, and Caulerpaceae) were collected from Mandapam coastal area and the seaweeds extracts were tested for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum. Among them, Caulerpa toxifolia (IC(50) 5.06 μg·ml(-1)) showed potential antiplasmodial activity than other seaweeds extracts and it can be comparable with the positive control artemether (IC(50) 4.09 μg·ml(-1)). Caulerpa peltata (IC(50) 16.69 μg·ml(-1)) also exhibited good antiplasmodial activity and the IC(50) value is lesser than the positive control chloroquine (IC(50) 19.59 μg·ml(-1)). Statistical analysis reveals that significant in vitro antiplasmodial activity (P<0.05) was observed between the concentrations and time of exposure. The chemical injury to erythrocytes was also carried out and it shows that no morphological changes in erythrocytes by the ethanolic extract of seaweeds extracts after 48 h of incubation. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity might be due to the presence of sugars, proteins, and phenols in the ethanolic extracts of seaweeds. It is concluded from the present study that, the ethanolic extracts of seaweeds of C. toxifolia and C. peltata possesses lead compounds for development of antiplasmodial drugs.

In vitro antiprotozoan activity and mechanisms of action of selected Ghanaian medicinal plants against Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and Plasmodium parasites

“…Although many of them have previously been reported to be effective against protozoan, diarrheal, bacterial, and other infectious diseases (Adepiti, Adewunmi, & Agbedahunsi, 2014;Bizimana et al, 2006;Chakraborty, Gaikwad, & Singh, 2012;Deepa & Rajendran, 2007;Lim, 2012;Mesia et al, 2007;Mothana et al, 2010;Mukhtar et al, 2008;Musuyu Muganza et al, 2012;Namukobe et al, 2011;Phillipson, 2001;Ravikumar, Inbaneson, Suganthi, Gokulakrishnan, & Venkatesan, 2011;Ríos & Recio, 2005;Sundararajan et al, 2006;Tajudeen & Kuranga, 2013;Yadav & Agarwala, 2011), we report the antiprotozoan activity of many crude extracts for the first time.…”

In vitro antiplasmodial effect of ethanolic extracts of coastal medicinal plants along Palk Strait against Plasmodium falciparum

“…The importance of plants as effective antimalarials was further reinforced by the isolation of artemisinin from the Chinese medicinal plant, Artemisia annua (A. annua) [1] . Several plants with antiplasmodial properties have been proved as sources for novel antiplasmodial compounds [2][3][4][5][6][7] . India boasts remarkable biodiversity and rich cultural traditions of plant use.…”

Bio-screening of a few green seaweeds from India for their cytotoxic and antioxidant potential

“…A few chosen species of Caulerpa , viz. C. ashmeadii, C. filiformis, C. racemosa, C. paspaloides, C. peltata, C. prolifera , and C. taxifolia , have displayed hypotensive, anesthetic, and antimicrobial activities 12–14. Another seaweed, Codium elongatum (Turner) C Agardh, a genus of marine green algae of the family Codeaceae, is usually found in deep pools along rocky coasts of the Indian Ocean; this genus is well known for its anticoagulant and antiviral properties 15, 16 .…”