Antiplasmodial activity of New Caledonia and Vanuatu traditional medicines.
Pharm Biol
; 49(4): 369-76, 2011 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21284535
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT With the emergence of strains multiresistant to antimalarial drugs, the search for new active molecules remains a priority. Ethnopharmacology appears to be a good method of selection in such investigations. OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this research work is to select plants used in Melanesian traditional medicine, in New Caledonia and Vanuatu, which should be a promising source for the isolation of new antimalarial drugs. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Forty-seven plant extracts belonging to 12 families, traditionally used by the Melanesian people or belonging to an antimalarial known genus, were screened in vitro for antimalarial activity on Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine (CQ)-resistant (FcB1) and CQ-sensitive (HB3) strains. They were also tested for their inhibitory effects on a protein kinase (Pfnek) and their cytotoxicity on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cells.RESULTS:
Among all extracts, four displayed strong in vitro activities against P. falciparum Gardenia urvillei Montrouzier, Scleria polycarpa Boeckeler, Terminalia catappa L. and Acronychia laevis J.R. & J.G. Forster, the latter being also toxic on MCF7 cells. Except for the extracts of S. polycarpa, all others that were active on P. falciparum, also possess an inhibitory effect on Pfnek. DISCUSSION ANDCONCLUSION:
These results confirm that ethnopharmacology is an excellent approach for such investigations. The two countries considered clearly present advantages in the field. Indeed, local populations keep their traditional knowledge alive, and their flora is exceptionally rich. In New Caledonia, the high endemicity rate (74%) ranks the island as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. As a consequence, chances to discover new active natural compounds are also high.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
3_ND
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Plasmodium falciparum
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Extratos Vegetais
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Antimaláricos
Limite:
Female
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pharm Biol
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article