In vitro antiplasmodial activity, cytotoxicity, and gas chromatography – flame ionization detector metabolites fingerprint of extracts and fractions from Tetrorchidium didymostemon
Authors
Osamudiamen Ebohon
aMichael and Cecilia Ibru University, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Program, P.M.B. 100, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria
Francis Irabor
aMichael and Cecilia Ibru University, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Program, P.M.B. 100, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria
Nekpen Erhunse
bUniversity of Benin, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Malaria Research, Molecular Biology and Toxicology Unit, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
Abigail Omagene
bUniversity of Benin, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Malaria Research, Molecular Biology and Toxicology Unit, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
Ehimwenma Omoregie
bUniversity of Benin, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Malaria Research, Molecular Biology and Toxicology Unit, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
Tetrorchidium didymostemon is used as an antimalarial remedy in southern Nigeria.
Objective(s)
This study was aimed at providing scientific validation for the use of T. didymostemon in the treatment of malaria in Nigeria.
Materials and methods
Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (Pf3D7) strain was cultured and maintained in fresh O+ human erythrocytes. Standard methods were used to evaluate in vitro antiplasmodial activity, cytotoxic effect on Vero cell line, phytochemical screening, and antioxidant capacity. Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) metabolite fingerprinting of the most potent fraction was carried out.
Results
The methanol leaf extract had higher antiplasmodial activity (IC50Pf3D7 = 25 ± 0.21 μg/mL) in comparison with the stem bark extract (SBE) (IC50Pf3D7 = 50 ± 0.94 μg/mL). The n-hexane fraction of the leaf extract had the best antiplasmodial activity (IC50Pf3D7 = 3.92 ± 0.46 μg/mL) and selectivity index. This was followed by the dichloromethane (IC50Pf3D7 = 12.5 ± 1.32 μg/mL), ethyl acetate (IC50Pf3D7 = 35.0 ± 4.80 μg/mL), and hydromethanol fraction which was inactive (IC50Pf3D7 > 100 μg/mL). All extracts and fractions were not toxic on Vero cell line (CC50 > 1000 μg/mL). The n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions had the highest amount of phytochemicals. GC-FID analysis revealed high amounts of kaempferol, α-pinene, camphor, humulene, azulene, and β-caryophyllene in the n-hexane fraction.
Conclusion
The results of our study validate the traditional use of T. didymostemon in the treatment of malaria in southern Nigeria. They also suggest that the phytoconstituent(s) responsible for the antiplasmodial activity of this plant may be more extractable in non-polar solvents.
Keywords: Tetrorchidium didymostemon, Malaria, Antioxidant, GC-FID, Ethnopharmacology, Phytoconstituents
Author Biography
Nekpen Erhunse, bUniversity of Benin, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Malaria Research, Molecular Biology and Toxicology Unit, P.M.B 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
cInternational Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Malaria Drug Discovery Research Group, New Delhi, 110067, India
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