Anti-malarial activity of 6-(8'Z-pentadecenyl)-salicylic acid from Viola websteri in mice.
BACKGROUND
Petroleum ether extracts of Viola websteri Hemsl (Violaceae) were reported to have anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro, with this activity being largely attributable to 6-(8'Z-pentadecenyl)-salicylic acid (6-SA).


METHODS
The schizontocidal activity of 6-SA on early Plasmodium berghei infections was evaluated in a four-day test. The possible 'repository' activity of 6-SA was assessed using the method described by Peters. The median lethal dose (LD50) of 6-SA, when given intraperitoneally, was also determined using uninfected ICR mice and the method of Lorke.


RESULTS
In the present study, 6-SA was found to have anti-malarial activity in vivo, when tested against P. berghei in mice. 6-SA at 5, 10 and 25 mg/kg x day exhibited a significant blood schizontocidal activity in four-day early infections, repository evaluations and established infections with a significant mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine (5 mg/kg.day).


CONCLUSIONS
6-SA possesses a moderate anti-malarial activity that could be exploited for malaria therapy.
Chung
Ill-Min
IM
Department of Diagnostics, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeong-Ju 780-714, South Korea. himun68@daum.net
Seo
Su-Hyun
SH
Kang
Eun-Young
EY
Park
Won-Hwan
WH
Moon
Hyung-In
HI
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects*; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032413:Viola / Q000737:chemistry*
D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020156:Salicylic Acid