Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Antiplasmodial and onset speed of growth inhibitory activities of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A Gray leaf fractions against Plasmodium falciparum

Rul A Syarif , Mae SH Wahyuningsih, M Mustofa, N Ngatidjan

For correspondence:- Rul Syarif Email: rulafiyah@ugm.ac.id Tel:+62274511103

Accepted: 20 October 2018 Published: 30 November 2018

Citation: Syarif RA, Wahyuningsih MS, Mustofa M, Ngatidjan N. Antiplasmodial and onset speed of growth inhibitory activities of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A Gray leaf fractions against Plasmodium falciparum. Trop J Pharm Res 2018; 17(11):2213-2218 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i11.15

© 2018 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the antiplasmodial and onset of growth inhibitory activities of T. diversifolia fractions against Plasmodium falciparum FCR3 strain.

Methods: Seven fractions of T. diversifolia (F1-F7) were used in this study. Phytochemical analysis was conducted to identify the major compounds in the fractions. Various concentrations of fractions ranging from 2.5 – 100.0 µg/mL were exposed to P. falciparum FCR3 strain for 60 h and the growth inhibition was then calculated. The fraction which exhibited the best antiplasmodial activity was tested further to determine the growth inhibition onset against P. falciparum FCR3 strain. This was achieved by examining the inhibitory activity of the fraction when it was added at the beginning of the experiment and assessing subsequent parasite growth after 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 h incubation.

Results: The major compounds found in the fractions were terpenes. Fraction six (F6) had the best antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ 13.63 ± 1.43 µg/mL). During the first 32 h of incubation, F6 inhibited the growth of parasites and this increased with longer incubation time; 32 h incubation provided the highest growth inhibition (99.23 ± 0.05 %). After 32 h the inhibition activity began to decrease, and resulted in < 50 % inhibition at 48 h incubation. This result suggested that F6 is a rapid-onset antiplasmodial agent.

Conclusion: Fractions of T. diversifolia, especially F6, are promising antimalarial agents and require further development for clinical application.

Keywords: Tithonia diversifolia, Plasmodium falciparum, Onset speed, Antimalarial, Antiplasmodial