Bioprospection for antiplasmodial activity, and identification of bioactive metabolites of native plants species from the Mata Atlântica biome, Brazil

Abstract

A total of 33 extracts of eleven different plants species from Mata Atlântica biome, Brazil, and different fractions of the bioactive extracts were evaluated against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain by PfLDH method and cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells by the MTT assay, and chemically characterized by LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The results allowed the identification of Alchornea glandulosa, Miconia latecrenata, and Psychotria suterella as the most active plant species. Different flavonoids and tannins in Alchornea glandulosa and Miconia latecrenata besides alkaloids in Psychotria suterella were identified. Bioguided fractionation of A. glandulosa and M. latecrenata leaves extracts led to fractions exhibiting high parasite growth inhibition. Seven known alkaloids were identified in the P. suterella extract, and of these, only 5-carboxystrictosidine had been assayed for antiplasmodial activity what points to this species as the most promising among the eleven one assayed.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Malaria
• chemotaxonomic survey
• Plasmodium falciparum
• phytochemical analysis
• bioactive extracts

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

To FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais - and CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - for financial support to ABO through PRONEX Rede Malária Processes No. APQ-01129-10 and Process 555655/2009-1, respectively. To IEF/MG - Instituto Estadual de Florestas de Minas Gerais for the authorization of collection and logistic support in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro (PESB).