title: [Antimalarial activity of hydroalcoholic extract from Bixa orellana L].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bixa orellana L. is one species used in traditional herb medicine in several continents. Among the medicinal properties attributed to this plant, the antimalarial action has been included.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of extract from B. orellana grown in Cuba.
  
  
  METHODS
  the antimalarial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract fro Bija seeds was evaluated in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum Ghana strain and in vivo using a model of murine malaria, that is, Balb/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. Citotoxicity was determined against MRC-5 human fibroblasts. Additionally, phytochemical composition of the studied extract was preliminarily informed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the extract exhibited IC50 (medium inhibitory concentration) of 11.6 microg/mL, CC50 (medium citotoxic concentration) of 60.2 microg/mL and SI (selectivity index) of 5.1. Subcutaneous administration of the extract at a 500 mg/kg dose caused parasitemia reduction of 50.3 +/- 5.8 % on infected animals compared with that of the controls. Phytochemical screening was consistent with detection of triterpenoids and/or steroids, alkaloids, lactonic compounds, phenols, tanins and flavonoids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the hydroalcoholic extract from B. orellona seeds grown in Cuba showed in vitro and in vivo moderate antimalarial activity. Bioassay-guided fractioning will allow identifying the molecules responsible for the exhibited extract activity and re-evaluating the potentialities of this extract.
authors: Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", Instituto de Farmacia y Alimentos, La Habana, Cuba. ayme@ipk.sld.cu
authors: Aymé
authors: A
authors: Fernández-Calienes Valdés
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Mendiola Martínez
authors: Deyanira
authors: D
authors: Acuña Rodríguez
authors: Ramón
authors: R
authors: Scull Lizama
authors: Yamilet
authors: Y
authors: Gutiérrez Gaitén
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials; D031212:Bixaceae; D000431:Ethanol; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol