[In vitro effect of daphnetin on cytochrome C oxidase and ribonucleotide reductase of plasmodium falciparum].

OBJECTIVE: To test the in vitro effect of daphnetin on cytochrome C oxidase (COX) and ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) activity of Plasmodium falciparum. METHODS: P. falciparum (FCC1/HN) was cultured in vitro using the method of Trager and Jensen. The effect of daphnetin and daphnetin-Fe complex on COX and RNR activity of P. falciparum was tested by ultraviolet spectrophotometer and electron spin resonance (ESR) respectively. RESULT: The parasites synchronized with sorbitol in vitro was treated by daphnetin and daphnetin-Fe complex. The inhibition level of the COX activity by daphnetin after being treated for 2, 4, 8 and 12 h were 0.6%, 73% and 80% respectively and the inhibition level by daphnetin at different concentrations (0.1, 1, 100 and 1 mmol/L) for 6h was 3%, 31%, 53% and 84%, respectively. No considerable effect was observed on the COX activity of P. falciparum treated with daphnetin-Fe complex. The tyrosyl free radical was tested to reflect the RNR activity of P. falciparum at various times by ESR. The inhibition level by daphnetin for 1, 2, 3 and 4 h were 7%, 51%, 69% and 75% respectively, while the values treated by daphnetin-Fe complex were 8%, 6%, 11% and 9% respectively. The inhibition level by daphnetin at different concentrations (0.1, 1, 100 and 1 mmol/L) for 6 h was 3%, 31%, 58% and 93% respectively and while the values treated by daphnetin-Fe complex were 8%, 6%, 11% and 9%. CONCLUSION: Daphnetin significantly reduces the COX and RNR activities of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.