In vitro studies on the sensitivity pattern of Plasmodium falciparum to anti-malarial drugs and local herbal extracts

Abstract

BackgroundThe resistance of human malaria parasites to anti-malarial compounds has become considerable concern, particularly in view of the shortage of novel classes of anti-malarial drugs. One way to prevent resistance is by using new compounds that are not based on existing synthetic antimicrobial agents.ResultsSensitivity of 100 Plasmodium falciparum isolates to chloroquine, quinine, amodiaquine, mefloquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine, artemisinin, Momordica charantia (‘Ejirin’) Diospyros monbuttensis (‘Egun eja’) and Morinda lucida (‘Oruwo’) was determined using the in vitro microtest (Mark III) technique to determine the IC50 of the drugs. All the isolates tested were sensitive to quinine, mefloquine and artesunate. Fifty-one percent of the isolates were resistant to chloroquine, 13% to amodiaquine and 5% to sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine. Highest resistance to chloroquine (68.9%) was recorded among isolates from Yewa zone while highest resistance to amodiaquine (30%) was observed in Ijebu zone. Highest resistance to sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine was recorded in Yewa and Egba zones, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between the responses to artemisinin and mefloquine (P<0.05), artemisinin and quinine (P<0.05) and quinine and mefloquine (P<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between the responses to chloroquine and mefloquine (P>0.05). Highest anti-plasmodial activity was obtained with the ethanolic extract of D. monbuttensis (IC50 = 3.2nM) while the lowest was obtained from M. lucida (IC50 =25nM).ConclusionsNatural products isolated from plants used in traditional medicine, which have potent anti-plasmodial action in vitro, represent potential sources of new anti-malarial drugs.

Prevalence of Malaria and Predisposing Factors to Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Southwestern Nigeria

“…Affordability is an essential consideration for any strategy to control drug-resistant malaria, especially in Africa (Goodman et al, 1999;Olasehinde et al, 2014). In the current study, about 25% of the sample population stopped the use of drugs because of price or when they finish the one they could afford.…”

“…Malaria is the most prevalent tropical disease in the world today and in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is ranked among the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality especially among children and is often the leading identifiable cause (Greenwood et al, 2005;Olasehinde et al, 2014). Four thousand and sixty six subjects were included in the study on the prevalence of P. falciparum infection in Ogun state, Southwestern Nigeria.…”

Avaliação Etnobotânica De Plantas Utilizadas Como Potenciais Antimaláricos Na Região Da Amazônia Ocidental Brasileira

“…Embora a M. charantia tenha sido pouco citada neste estudo, em trabalhos publicados, como o de Olasehinde et al (2014) por meio do extrato aquoso das folhas, tem sido relatada inibição plasmodial considerável. Foram encontrados três artigos referentes a estudos com ensaios do parasito, além disso, tem sido estudado como potencial anti-inflamatório (FANG et al, 2007); diabetes (RUDÁ-KUČEROVÁETES; KOTOLO-VÁ;KOUPÝ, 2015), atividade antimicrobiana (CARNEI-RO et al, 2014).…”

Assessment of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of crude extracts and fractions of Schwartzia brasiliensis (Choisy) Bedell ex Giraldo-Caas

“…Such phytomedicines are usually alternative or complementary options to treatments with synthetic drugs (Dragan et al, 2015;Olasehinde et al, 2014). However, even though considered therapeutic, some bioactive plant derivatives may have toxic properties that will cause damage to the human organism, including the induction of genetic damage (Bednarczuk et al, 2010;Düsman et al, 2012;Efferth and Grefen, 2012).…”