In vitro antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities of five medicinal plants from Burkina Faso

Parasitol Res. 2012 May;110(5):1779-83. doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2699-3. Epub 2011 Oct 25.

Abstract

After ethnobotanical surveys in central and western regions of Burkina Faso, five plants namely Lantana ukambensis (Verbenaceae), Xeoderris sthulmannii (Fabaceae), Parinari curatellifollia (Chrysobalanaceae), Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae), and Ficus platyphylla (Moraceae) were selected for their traditional use in the treatment of parasitic diseases and cancer. Our previous studies have focused on the phytochemical, genotoxicity, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of these plants. In this study, the methanol extract of each plant was tested to reveal probable antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods were used for the detection of antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Leishmania donovani (LV9 WT) and Trypanosoma brucei brucei GVR 35 were used to test the antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities, respectively. All extracts of tested plants showed a significant antitrypanosomal activity with minimum lethal concentrations between 1.5 and 25 μg/ml, the L. ukambensis extract being the most active. In the antileishmanial test, only the extract from L. ukambensis showed significant activity with an inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 6.9 μg/ml. The results of this study contribute to the promotion of traditional medicine products and are preliminary for the isolation of new natural molecules for the treatment of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiprotozoal Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Burkina Faso
  • Colorimetry
  • Leishmania donovani / drug effects*
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects
  • Parasitic Sensitivity Tests
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents