Abstract Detail

Phytochemical Section

Brody, Stacy [1], Graziose, Rocky [2], Raskin, Ilya [3], Struwe, Lena [4], Lategan, Carmen [5].

Malaria Curatives from Northeast United States.

As resistance to common treatments spreads among the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium spp., the need for new drugs has become more urgent. Researchers are actively looking for effective compounds in various plant species. To date, mostly plants of Africa, South America, and Asia have been the subjects of such investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiplasmodial and cytotoxic qualities of plants used by Native Americans and American settlers to treat malaria, specifically in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States through the Civil War. Five plant species –Alnus serrulata (hazel alder, Betulaceae), Callicarpa dichotoma (beautyberry, Verbenaceae), Cercis candensis (Eastern redbud, Fabaceae), Eupatorium perfoliatum (common boneset, Asteraceae), and Quercus alba (white oak, Fagaceae) – were selected from the literature, as they were most commonly reported to be used as treatments for malaria. A stepwise extraction method was used to produce 4 extracts from each plant. The extracts were then tested for in vitro antiplasmodial activity using the Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) based parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay, with chloroquine as a positive control. Samples were also tested for cytotoxicity in vitro. Chloroform extracts of all samples were active against Plasmodium, as was the aqueous extract of Callicarpa dichotoma. Further research should be done on Callicarpa dichotoma to identify active compounds.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Rutgers University, Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, 237 Forhan Hall, Cook Campus, 59 Dudley Rd, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
2 -
3 - Rutgers University, Biotech Center, 59 Dudley Rd, Foran Hall, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
4 - Rutgers University, Plant Biology and Pathology, 237 Foran Hall, 59 Dudley Rd, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
5 - University of Cape Town, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Private Bag X3, Observatory 7935, Cape Town, South Africa

Keywords:
Malaria
ethnobotany
Plasmodium
Alnus spp
Callicarpa dichotoma
Cercis canadensis
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Quercus alba
Historical botany.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Hall A/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPT004
Abstract ID:414