Antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of various plant extracts from the Mascarene Archipelago.
OBJECTIVE
Antiplasmodial activity, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) overproduction, and anti-proliferative activity were investigated in vitro to evaluate the bioactive potential of the traditional pharmacopoeia of the Mascarene Archipelago, which is known for its biodiversity and for the richness of its endemic flora.


METHODS
A total of 45 methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts were prepared from 19 plant species collected on Réunion and Mauritius Islands. Ninety-six-well microplate assays were performed on chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain, on LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 murine macrophages and on A-549, DLD-1 and WS1 human cells. Activity was evaluated through spectrophotometric methods.


RESULTS
Activity was attributed to plant extracts expressing IC(50)<50μg/ml for antiplasmodial response, IC(50)<100μg/ml for cytotoxicity, and IC(50)<130μg/ml for anti-inflammatory reaction. The majority of the extracts tested (69%) exhibited potency in at least one of these three types of activity. This is the first report describing promising antiplasmodial activity (IC(50)<15μg/ml) for Psiadia dentata DCM extract and Terminalia bentzoe MeOH bark extract. NO inhibition assay revealed seven interesting plants, described for the first time as anti-inflammatory: Aphloia theiformis, Buddleja salviifolia, Eupatorium riparium, Hiptage benghalensis, Psiadia arguta, Psiadia dentata, and Scutia commersonii. Finally, anti-proliferative activity was observed for two endemic species, Geniostoma borbonicum and Nuxia verticillata.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the criterion of endemism as part of the criteria for traditional medicinal use raises the chances of finding original active principles. In our case, 86% of the endemic plants tested displayed pharmacological interest.
Jonville
M C
MC
Université de Liège, CIRM, Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie (B36), Avenue de l'Hôpital 1, Liège, Belgium. MC.Jonville@ulg.ac.be
Kodja
H
H
Strasberg
D
D
Pichette
A
A
Ollivier
E
E
Frédérich
M
M
Angenot
L
L
Legault
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007195:Indian Ocean Islands; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009569:Nitric Oxide