Simalikalactone D is responsible for the antimalarial properties of an Amazonian traditional remedy made with Quassia amara L. (Simaroubaceae).
French Guiana (North-East Amazonia) records high malaria incidence rates. The traditional antimalarial remedy most widespread there is a simple tea made out from Quassia amara L. leaves (Simaroubaceae). This herbal tea displays an excellent antimalarial activity both in vitro and in vivo. A known quassinoid, simalikalactone D (SkD), was identified as the active compound, with an IC(50) value of 10nM against FcB1 Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistant strain in vitro. Lastly, it inhibits 50% of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii rodent malaria parasite at 3.7 mg/kg/day in vivo by oral route. These findings confirm the traditional use of this herbal tea.
Bertani
S
S
Laboratoire de Parasitologie Comparée et Modèles Expérimentaux, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 61, rue Buffon, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France.
Houël
E
E
Stien
D
D
Chevolot
L
L
Jullian
V
V
Garavito
G
G
Bourdy
G
G
Deharo
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001628:Beverages; D005616:French Guiana; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D015394:Molecular Structure; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*; D032271:Quassia / Q000737:chemistry*; D036702:Quassins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology
D000962:Antimalarials; D036702:Quassins; C024970:simalikalactone D