Antimalarial activity of Toona ciliata MJ Roem aqueous methanolic leaf extract and its antioxidant and phytochemical properties.

Abstract

Malaria is a global health issue causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Screening of various traditionally important medicinal plants is a key source for the discovery of new antimalarials. We evaluated the antimalarial and antioxidant activities, and performed detailed phytochemical analyses of Toona ciliata MJ Roem aqueous methanolic leaf extract (TcMLE). Invitro antiplasmodial studies in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) 3D7 and PfCam3.IR539T strains were performed by [3H]-hypoxanthine uptake assays. Invitro cytotoxicity in HeLa and HEK293T cell lines was evaluated using MTT assays. Hemolysis assay was performed using RBCs. Phytochemical analysis by GC-MS and invitro antioxidant studies by DPPH and ABTS assays were performed. Invivo antimalarial studies in Pb-infected mice were carried out using Rane's test and Peters' 4-day test. TcMLE showed significant invitro antioxidant activity and had phytochemicals reported for antimalarial activity. Invitro studies showed prominent antiplasmodial activity against Pf3D7 strain (IC50 ∼22μg/ml) and PfCam3. IR539Tstrain (IC50 value ∼43μg/ml). Invitro cytotoxicity studies, invitro hemolytic assays, and invivo acute toxicity studies further suggested that TcMLE is nontoxic. Invivo antimalarial studies using Rane's test showed a significant decrease in parasitemia by ∼70% at 1200mg/kg doses and delayed the mortality of mice by ∼10-14 days. Peters' 4-day test also showed a similar pattern. The present study demonstrated the antimalarial potential of TcMLE. These findings deliver a platform for further studies to identify the active components of TcMLE and discover new antimalarials.