In vivo anti-malarial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of rhizomes of Kniphofia foliosa and its constituents

Abstract

Background Kniphofia foliosa is a flamboyant robust perennial herb which has dense clumps and tick upright rhizomes with leaves at the base. In Ethiopia, it has several vernacular names including Abelbila, Ashenda, Amelmela, Yeznjero Ageda, Shemetmetie and Yezinjero Ageda. The plant is endemic to Ethiopian highlands, where its rhizomes are traditionally used for the treatment of malaria, abdominal cramps and wound healing. In the present study, the 80% methanol extract of K. foliosa rhizomes and its constituents are tested against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Methods Isolation was carried out using column and preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC). The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (ESI–MS, 1D and 2D-NMR). Peters’ 4-day suppressive test against P. berghei in mice was utilized for in vivo anti-malarial evaluation of the test substances. Results Two compounds, namely knipholone and dianellin were isolated from the 80% methanolic extract of K. foliosa rhizomes, and characterized. The hydroalcoholic extract (400 mg/kg) and knipholone (200 mg/kg) showed the highest activity with chemosuppression values of 61.52 and 60.16%, respectively. From the dose–response plot, the median effective (ED50) doses of knipholone and dianellin were determined to be 81.25 and 92.31 mg/kg, respectively. Molecular docking study revealed that knipholone had a strong binding affinity to Plasmodium falciparum l-lactate dehydrogenase (pfLDH) target. Conclusion Results of the current study support the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of malaria.

A comprehensive review of the ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities of the genus Kniphofia

“…The reported compound, knipholone ( 27 ) and dianellin ( 36 ) were likewise shown to have significant suppression values of 55.14 and 60.16% at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, and they extended the treatment groups' mean survival days (Alebachew et al. 2021 ).…”

“…At a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, the compound dianellin ( 36 ) exhibited a substantial suppression value of 60.16%, and it extended the treatment group's mean survival time (Alebachew et al. 2021 ). Kniphofiarexine ( 37 ) was isolated from crude methanol extracts of Kniphofia reflexa rhizome and evaluated for anti-inflammatory effects on phagocyte oxidative burst.…”

Decoquinate liposomes: highly effective clearance of Plasmodium parasites causing severe malaria

“…Based on the preliminary data, experiments were designed for dose response of liposomal DQ by following the protocol (Peters 4-day test) as previously described [ 28 – 30 ]. Mice were given F5 liposomes 3 h post inoculation and another three doses at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h afterwards (Fig.…”

In vivo assessment of the antimalarial activity and acute oral toxicity of an ethanolic seed extract of Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz

“…Currently, malaria remains a serious public health problem in several regions, especially tropical and subtropical zones [1][2][3], because it is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2020 [4], there are approximately 229 million cases of malaria worldwide and 0.5 million deaths per year [5,6]. There are reports of Plasmodium strains resistant to artemisininbased combination therapies (ACTs), which represent the gold-standard malaria treatment [7].…”