Antimalarial Activity ofCocos nuciferaHusk Fibre: Further Studies

Abstract

In this study, the antimalarial and toxicity potentials of husk fibre extracts of five Nigerian varieties of Cocos nucifera were evaluated in vitro. The only active extract fraction, West African Tall (WAT) ethyl acetate extract fraction, was then evaluated for its phytochemical constituents, antimalarial and toxicity potentials at varying doses (31.25–500 mg/kg body weight) using various organ function indices. The results revealed that WAT ethyl acetate extract fraction (WATEAEF) contained alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids and was active against Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain maintained in continuous culture, with a selectivity index of 30.3. The same extract fraction was active in vivo against Plasmodium berghei NK65, causing more than 50% reduction in parasitaemia on days 4 and 6 after inoculation at various doses administered. WATEAEF did not significantly alter (P > 0.05) function indices of the liver and cardiovascular system at all doses administered but significantly increased (P < 0.05) plasma creatinine concentration at 250 and 500 mg/Kg body weight compared to controls. The results of this study suggest that WATEAEF possesses antimalarial activity and may not adversely affect normal liver function nor predispose subjects to cardiovascular diseases but may impair normal kidney function at higher doses. Further studies are underway to isolate the active principles.

Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review

“…However, parasitemia varied on days 8 and 10, and results with WATEAEF were no better than with chloroquine. Additionally, treatment with 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight WATEAEF significantly increased (P<0.05) plasma creatinine concentration compared with controls ( 65 ). Despite the reduction in parasitemia, the extract cannot yet be considered an appropriate treatment for malaria.…”

Antiplasmodial activity of Cocos nucifera leaves in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

“…Research has demonstrated the presence of metabolites such as polyphenols, glycosides, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and others which could be responsible for those activities (Renjith et al 2013;Manalo et al 2017;Oliveira et al 2009;Singla et al 2011;Soumya et al 2014). More specifically, the husk extracts of C. nucifera have shown to have antimalarial properties when tested in vitro and in vivo (Adebayo et al 2012;Adebayo et al 2013;Balogun et al 2014;Angeles et al 2005).…”

Enhancing the antimalarial activity of artesunate

“…Polyphenol-artesunate hybrids Recently, we synthesized antimalarial hybrid compounds from artesunate and some polyphenols present in Cocos nucifera husk, the decoction of which is used for the treatment of malaria in indigenous medicine in Nigeria (Adebayo et al 2012(Adebayo et al , 2013. The compounds synthesized were artesunate-ellagic acid and artesunateprocyanidin hybrid compounds with a ratio of 1:1 of the components in each hybrid compound (Adebayo et al, unpublished; Balogun et al, unpublished).…”