Antiplasmodial Activity of Griffipavixanthone and Morelloflavone the Main Compounds from Garcinia Chromocarpa Engl. (Clusiaceae)

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The genus Garcinia is a rich source of species mostly used in traditional medicine to treat a many diseases. Bioactive constituents from this genus have been used as antimicrobial, anticancer, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anti-HIV. According to these properties, major compounds of this plant have been evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity. Materials and methods: The methanol extract of the G. chromocarpa stem bark was used in this study. The chromatographic fractionation of this latest led to the isolation of two major compounds, identified by NMR and MS spectroscopic techniques. The crude extract and pure compounds were compared using the in vitro evaluation of the malaria parasite growth inhibition by colorimetric method (p-LDH assay). Furthermore ABTS•+ and DPPH• scavenging activities and cytotoxicity through WST1 assay were evaluated. Results: Based on the chromatographic profile two major compounds were isolated. They were characterized by spectroscopic analysis interpretation and comparison with the data in the literature: one biflavonoid (1) and one xanthone (2). The compound 2 (Griffipavixanthone, IC50 ± S.D = 5.80±0.32 μg/mL) was found to be more active against the malaria parasite, chloroquinesensitive (3D7) strain of P. falciparum, than the compound 1 (Morelloflavone, IC50 ± S.D = 9.20±0.96 μg/mL). The antiradical activities connected to the ability to scavenge free radicals were observed for the ethanol crude extract of the stem bark, and the leave of G. chromocarpa. Conclusions: This work demonstrated for the first time the antiplasmodial activity of G. chromocarpa and its isolated major compounds. These latest are known in the genus Garcinia but, here, firstly described in G. chromocarpa Engl.