Antiplasmodial and phytochemical investigation of monanthotaxis parvifolia (oliv.) verdc ssp. Kenyensis verdc (annonaceae)

Abstract

Attention has recently shifted to ethnopharmacological study of plants as sources of alternative medicines. This approach has yielded clinically useful medicines particularly for the treatment of malaria. Upon literature survey, plants belonging to the Annonaceae family have been found to be widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria. In Kenya, particularly in the coastal region, Monanthotaxis parvifolia (Oliv.) ssp. kenyensis Verdc (Annonaceae) is used for the treatment of malaria. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antiplasmodial and phytochemical properties of this plant. This was in order to establish its ethnopharmacological basis of its use in the treatment of malaria. Materials and Methods The authenticated plant material consisting of the twigs and leaves was collected from Thika, Kenya. Preparation of the reagents and plant specimens for macroscopic and microscopic study was carried out as per published protocols or validated methods. Soxhlet extraction and bioassay-guided fractionation in combination with chromatographic techniques were used for the extraction, isolation and purification of the isolated compounds. Spectroscopic methods were used to carry out structure elucidation of the isolated compounds. In vitro antiplasmodial tests for both the crude extracts and phytochemical isolates were carried out using the chloroquine-sensitive (D10) and chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) Plasmodium falciparum strains. Cytotoxicity testing was done using Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) cells on active crude extracts and the phytochemical isolates. Crude extract of Monanthotaxis parvifolia were also tested for glycaemic, analgesic and antipyretic activities. Results and Discussion The antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquineresistant Plasmodium falciparum strain ranged from 5.58 to 38.07 μg/ml for the