Abstract

Research and development of new antiplasmodial molecules in plant is a very important way for the development of new anti-malarial drugs. In this study, Vernonia cinerea Less (Asteraceae) was selected for its promising antiplasmodial activity because it is traditionally used in Burkina Faso to treat malaria. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiplasmodial activity of this whole plant. Five crude extracts of V. cinerea Less were prepared from the solvents of increasing polarity (CH₂Cl₂, CH₃OH, CH₃OH/H₂O (1/1), H₂O and alkaloids extracts). The method of Ciulei (1982) and thin layer chromatography were used for chemical characterization. The p-LDH technique was used in vitro. Extracts were evaluated in vitro for efficacy against the Plasmodium falciparum strain K1, which is resistant to chloroquine, and 3D7, which is sensitive to chloroquine. The crude extracts of alkaloids showed the IC₅₀=4.25 μg/ml with the strains 3D7 and IC₅₀=2.56 µg/ml with the K1 strains. The CH₂Cl₂ extracts showed the IC₅₀= 8.42 µg/ml and IC₅₀=5.85 µg/ml on strains 3D7 and K1, respectively. The CH₃OH extracts showed the IC₅₀=21.08 µg/ml, CH₃OH/H₂O extracts gave 41.56 µg/ml and H₂O extracts gave 37.17 µg/ml on strains of P. falciparum K1. The present study highlighted the very promising antiplasmodial activity of V. cinerea Less. The most antiplasmodial activity of this plant extracts merit further study about its in vivo antiplasmodial activity in Plasmodium berghei infected mice.

Key words: Vernonia cinerea Less, alkaloids, triterpenes, antiplasmodial activity, Plasmodium falciparum.