Anti-plasmodial activity of Nortrachelogenin from the root bark of Carissa edulis (vahl)

Summary: The decoction of the root bark of Carrisa edulis is used traditionally for treatment of malaria and other ailments. Plasmodium falcipurum in vitro drug sensitive study was conducted in order to evaluate the correlation between the ethno medicinal use and bioactivity of fractions and total extract of the plant. Methanolic extract of the root bark of carissa edulis showed anti-plasmodial activity against the chloroquin-senitive (D6) strains of plasmodium falciparum parasite with IC50 value of 1.95 μg/ml. From this extract, a lignan compound nortrachelogenin was isolated and showed anti-plasmodium activity of 14.50 μg/ml. The structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Industrial Relevance: Plasmodium falcipurum in vitro drug sensitive study was conducted to identify a potential anti-malarial drug from the extract and fractions that can be developed and used for treatment of malaria.