[en] [en] ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Erigeron bonariensis L. (anc. Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist) is a medicinal plant with traditional use in Cameroonian folk medicine and other parts of Africa for the management of ailments, including malaria.
AIM: This study focused on investigating the antiplasmodial, gametocytocidal properties and toxicity profile of E. bonariensis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracts of E. bonariensis were prepared by sequential maceration using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, and their antiplasmodial properties were assessed on both sexual and asexual Plasmodium parasite stages. Additionally, cytotoxicity was assessed on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line, while acute and sub-chronic toxicity were evaluated using albino mice.
RESULTS: Generally, all extracts were active against both stages of the parasites at different levels. Hexane extract exhibited good antiplasmodial activity (IC50 6.02 ± 1.13 μg/mL) against asexual parasites while also demonstrating the highest gametocytocidal activity (IC50 1.863 ± 0.717μg/mL). All extracts were relatively non-toxic on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. No significant adverse effects at the tested dose were observed following an acute exposure with an LD50 > 5000 mg/kg BW. In the sub-chronic toxicity evaluation, no significant changes in body weight, or hematological and biochemical parameters were observed across the dosed groups compared to the control, with a p-value < 0.05. Additionally, histopathological examination of the liver indicated no signs of toxicity or abnormalities.
CONCLUSION: The findings show that E. bonariensis has effective antiplasmodial and gametocytocidal properties in vitro and has relatively low toxicity. This study supports the use of E. bonariensis as a culturally appropriate alternative for malaria management. However, further studies are needed on the safety profile and in harnessing the therapeutic potential of E. bonariensis for the development of novel antimalarials.
Disciplines :
Pharmacy, pharmacology & toxicology
Author, co-author :
Lahngong, Methodius Shinyuy ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Médicament (CIRM)
Schaefer, Thomas M; Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Betrand, Wanyu Y; Department of Biology, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Hamann, Carla ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Médicament (CIRM)
de Carvalho, Lais P; Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Vekima, Mbua J; Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory (MEBL), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon
Jansen, Olivia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de pharmacie > Pharmacognosie
Ledoux, Allison ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de pharmacie > Pharmacognosie
Shey, Robert A; Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory (MEBL), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon
Babiaka, Smith B; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon, Department of Microbial Bioactive Compounds, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Held, Jana; Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany, German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
Ngemenya, Moses N; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
Taiwe, Germain S; Department of Biology, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Ghogomu, Stephen M; Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory (MEBL), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon
Loe, Gisèle E; Laboratory of Pharmacochemical and Natural Pharmaceutical Substances, Doctoral Training Unit in Health Sciences. Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon
Frederich, Michel ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de pharmacie > Pharmacognosie
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