In vitro Antiplasmodial and Toxicity Activities of Crude Extracts and Compounds from Euclea latideus (Ebenaceae)

Aims: In our search for new antiplasmodial agents, in vitro antiplasmodial activities of the crude extracts and isolated pure compounds were determined. In addition to the in vitro assays, in vivo acute toxicity of the crude extracts was investigated to assess the safety of the plants. Furthermore, structure elucidation of the pure compounds was also carried out to determine the identity of the isolated compounds. Study Design: Extraction of the root crude extracts of Euclea latideus was done using four solvents: hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Isolation and purification were µg/mL, Dd2: 25.14 ± 0.01 µg/mL. The antiplasmodial activity of the crude extracts and pure compounds were significantly different ( P < 0.05) from that of the reference standards (chloroquine diphosphate and mefloquine hydrochloride). Both the crude extracts IC 50 (2.78-38.93) µg/mL and pure compounds IC 50 (1.64-25.14) µg/mL showed a significant decrease in activity compared to the reference standards (0.0056-0.0440) µg/mL. Significant difference ( P < 0.05) also existed between the antiplasmodial activities of the crude extracts, which showed the same trend with that of the pure compounds. Conclusion: The results show that the root crude extracts and pure compounds of the plant have good antiplasmodial activity and low toxicity which can be exploited for malaria therapy. Therefore, this justifies their ethnomedicinal use of the plant by the local communities of Butebo Sub-County, in Pallisa District in Eastern Uganda in the treatment of malaria.