title: Evaluation of the flora of Puerto Rico for in vitro antiplasmodial and antimycobacterial activities.
abstract: The emergence of resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis underscores the need for novel drugs that are effective against these microorganisms. As part of our screening programme of the flora of Puerto Rico, we tested a number of ethanol extracts of higher plants for antiplasmodial and antimycobacterial activities. A total of 40 extracts belonging to 23 plant families and 37 species were tested for antiplasmodial activity. Five extracts demonstrated activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro (50%-100% parasite suppression at 5 microg/mL). Another 63 extracts belonging to 30 plant families and 50 species were tested in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Two extracts were found to be active, Ficus citrifolia and Pisonia borinquena (85% or more inhibition of microbial growth at 100 microg/mL of extract).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936, USA.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Antoun
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vazques
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oquendo
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Proctor
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gerena
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Franzblau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018514:Plant Structures; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*; D011647:Puerto Rico
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts