Evaluation of antimalarial activity of Ecballium elaterium and Artemisia marschalliana

Abstract

Introduction: Ecballium and Artemisia geneses belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae and Asteraceae are medicinal plants widely distributed in Iran, respectively. In the present study, the anti-malarial activity of different extracts and also sep-pak fractions of potent extracts of both plants including Ecballium elaterium and Artemisia marschalliana was screened. Scope: The objectives of this study are evaluation of the anti- malarial effect of different extracts of all parts of Ecballium elaterium and aerial parts of Artemisia marschalliana. Material and methods: The whole plants and aerial parts of E. elaterium and A. marschalliana were extracted successively by different solvents using soxhlet extractor. In order to assess anti-malarial activity of obtained extracts and also sep-pak fractions of polar extracts, cell free β-hematin formation assay was applied. Furthermore, TLC analysis were used for recognizing the secondary metabolites of potent fractions. Results: Amongst the extracts, MeOH extracts in both plants (rhizomes of E. elaterium and aerial parts of A. marschalliana) exhibited remarkable anti-malarial activities with IC50 value of 0.12 ± 0.000 mg/mL and 0.05 ± 0.005, respectively. In contrast, DCM and n-hexane extracts of both plants illustrated moderate activities in this assay. Among the fractions, 20% and 40% sep-pak fractions of potent MeOH extracts of rhizomes of E. elaterium and aerial parts of A. marschalliana showed potent inhibitory activities on β-hematin formation assay, respectively. Furthermore, TLC analysis of potent fractions showed active constituents like flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. Conclusion: 20% and 40% sep-pak fractions of MeOH extracts of rhizome and aerial parts of E. elaterium and A. marschalliana Indicated potent anti-malaria activities, respectively. It seems that it is noteworthy to concentrate on purifying the active chemical constituents of MeOH extracts in both plant and determining the pure anti-malarial components.