title: Antiplasmodial activity of extracts of Tridax procumbens and Phyllanthus amarus in in vitro Plasmodium falciparum culture systems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aqueous extracts of Tridax procumbens (TP) (Compositae) and Phyllanthus amarus (PA) (Euphorbiaceae) are used in traditional medicine in Ghana to treat malaria. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-trypanosoma, anti-bacterial and anti-HIV effects of TP and PA.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the antiplasmodial activity of extracts of TP and PA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aqueous extracts of TP and PA were prepared. A portion of each was freeze-dried and the remaining extracted sequentially with ethyl acetate and chloroform. Ethanolic extracts were also prepared. The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was assessed with the 3H-hypoxanthine assay using chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Chloroquine was used as the reference drug. The modified tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay was also used to evaluate the red blood cell (RBC)-protective/antiplasmodial activities and cytotoxicities of the extracts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that TP and PA have antiplasmodial activities. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of PA were the most active, yielding EC50 values of 34.9 µg/ml and 31.2 µg/ml, respectively in the tetrazolium-based assay. The TP and PA produced and IC50 values of 24.8 µg/ml and 11.7 µg/ml, respectively in the hypoxanthine assay. Protection of human RBCs against P. falciparum damage by the extracts highly correlated with their antiplasmodial activities. None of the extracts, within the concentration range (1.9-500 µg/ml) studied produced any overt toxicity to human RBCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that both PA and TP have activities against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (Dd2) parasites. The antiplasmodial principles extracted into water and ethanol but not chloroform or ethyl acetate.
authors.affiliation: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG581, Legon, Ghana. rappiahopong@noguchi.mimcom.org
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Appiah-Opong
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Nyarko
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dodoo
authors.forename: F N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Gyang
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Koram
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ayisi
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019659:Asteraceae; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003124:Colorimetry; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D029803:Phyllanthus; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002738:Chloroquine