Antiplasmodial Activity ofCochlospermum planchoniiand C.tinctoriumTubercle Essential Oils

Abstract

Essential oils obtained from the tubercles of Cochlospermum tinctorium (Hook.) and C. planchonii A. Rich (Coehlospermaceae-Bixaceae) were prepared by hydrodistillation. The oils components were characterized by GC and GC/MS. The oils were then tested for in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. The P. falciparum strains used were FcBl-Columbia (chloroquine-resistant) and a Nigerian strain (chloroquine-sensitive). The oil concentrations inducing 50% inhibition of the in vitro parasite growth (IC₃₀) after 24 and 72 hour-contact between the oil and the parasite culture, ranged from 5–600 μg/mL. The oils were obtained from whole tubercles, tubercle epiderma and the central cylinder of both Cochlospermum species. C. tinctorium epiderma oil showed the best antimalarial activity with IC₅₀ ranging from 5–53 μg/mL. The oil toxicity was evaluated on K562 cells and showed IC₅₀ values ranging between 75–1600 μg/mL.