Anti-malarial activity of 6-(8'Z-pentadecenyl)-salicylic acid from Viola websteri in mice

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Park Won-Hwan, Kang Eun-Young, Seo Su-Hyun, Chung Ill-Min, Moon Hyung-In
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-8-151; https://doaj.org/article/b2c5d49291254ad4a493f4a6f1341e93

Abstract Background Petroleum ether extracts of Viola websteri Hemsl (Violaceae) were reported to have anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro , with this activity being largely attributable to 6-(8'Z-pentadecenyl)-salicylic acid (6-SA). Methods The schizontocidal activity of 6-SA on early Plasmodium berghei infections was evaluated in a four-day test. The possible 'repository' activity of 6-SA was assessed using the method described by Peters. The median lethal dose (LD 50 ) of 6-SA, when given intraperitoneally, was also determined using uninfected ICR mice and the method of Lorke. Results In the present study, 6-SA was found to have anti-malarial activity in vivo , when tested against P. berghei in mice. 6-SA at 5, 10 and 25 mg/kg·day exhibited a significant blood schizontocidal activity in four-day early infections, repository evaluations and established infections with a significant mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine (5 mg/kg·day). Conclusion 6-SA possesses a moderate anti-malarial activity that could be exploited for malaria therapy.