Antiplasmodial activity of the ethanolic extract of icacina oliviformis (STEMS), spondias purpurea L.(leaves, barks and roots) and cocos nucifera L. (coconut shell fibers) from Ziguinchor, Senegal

Abstract

Icacina oliviformis (poiret) Raynal (Icacinaceae), Spondias purpurea L. (Anacardiaceae) and Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) are Senegalese traditional pharmacopoeia plants used in the treatment of various diseases. These plants are used in the treatment of malaria and related conditions in south Senegal. To establish its efficacy, the ethanolic extract was investigated. This prompted us to assess their antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 and chloroquine-resistant W2 strains of P. falciparum as well as their cytotoxic activity against HUVEC cells. The Icacina oliviformis extract revealed antiplasmodial activity (IC50 <1μg/mL) with no toxicity (CC50 >100). The antiplasmodial activity and the toxicity of the stems of Icacina oliviformis, Spondias purperea (leaves, barks, and roots) and Cocos nucifera (coconuts shell fibers) are reported for the first time. The ethanol fraction of Icacina oliviformis stems showed stronger antiplasmodial activity than the other extracts.