Previous research shows that the root and bark extracts of Euclea natalensis have antiplasmodial activity, but the leaves have not been examined yet. This study investigated the phytochemical, antiplasmodial, and cytotoxic properties of the plant leaves. The activity against 3D7 Plasmodium falciparum was determined using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay, and the cytotoxicity against Vero and HeLa cells was evaluated using the MTT and resazurin assays, respectively. The bioactive compounds were isolated by chromatography, and their structures were established with spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. The extract showed antiplasmodial activity (IC50 =25.6 μg/mL) and was not cytotoxic against Vero cells (IC50 =403.7 μg/mL). Purification of the extract afforded six flavonoid glycosides, four triterpenoids, and a coumarin. The glycosides showed antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities, against HeLa cells, at 50 μg/mL, but the activity was reduced at 10 μg/mL. Naphthoquinones, which are among the predominant phytochemicals in the root and root bark of E. natalensis, were not detected in the leaves.
Keywords: Ebenaceae; Euclea natalensis; antiplasmodial; cytotoxicity; flavonoid glycosides.
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