Abstract
Poincianella pluviosa is a tree whose stem bark is reputed to have antidiarrheal, wound healing, antitumoral and antimalarial properties. Considering that the leaves of the tree are a more abundant and renewable source than the stem bark, we chose to study the antimalarial potential of this organ part. The aqueous leaf extract exhibited a rich phenolic profile. It was active (IC50= 6.88 ± 1.64 µg mL-1) against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum (W2) without toxicity to HepG2 A16 cells. The organic fraction was more active (IC50= 1.83 µg mL-1) than the aqueous leaf extract itself. Ten phenolic compounds were obtained from the latter. This is the first report on the phenolic composition of P. pluviosa leaves. Ellagic acid (IC50= 0.215 ± 0.007 µg mL-1) proved to be 32 fold more active than the aqueous leaf extract itself. Considering their renewable aspect, leaves of P. pluviosa appear to be a more interesting source of antimalarial compounds than stem bark.
Highlights
A reduction in the incidence of tropical diseases such as malaria in poor countries is considered a major goal of the international community.1,2 In 2013, malaria was reported to be a threat to 198 million people causing 584,000 deaths in the world, mostly children under 5 years old in Africa
Leaves of P. pluviosa were extracted with water in a preparation very similar to that used by Tacana Indians
Our findings show that the P1 and P2 extracts from Poincianella pluviosa differed in pattern and concentration of phenolic compounds
Summary
A reduction in the incidence of tropical diseases such as malaria in poor countries is considered a major goal of the international community. In 2013, malaria was reported to be a threat to 198 million people causing 584,000 deaths in the world, mostly children under 5 years old in Africa. In 2013, malaria was reported to be a threat to 198 million people causing 584,000 deaths in the world, mostly children under 5 years old in Africa. The impact of this disease is a major risk with the growth of world’s population, mainly in regions without access to health services. Five species of Plasmodium are able to infect humans, Plasmodium falciparum being considered the most dangerous.. Five species of Plasmodium are able to infect humans, Plasmodium falciparum being considered the most dangerous.4 Some clinical manifestations such as fever, chills, mild anemia and diarrheas are associated with malaria. Five species of Plasmodium are able to infect humans, Plasmodium falciparum being considered the most dangerous. Some clinical manifestations such as fever, chills, mild anemia and diarrheas are associated with malaria.
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