Constituents from ripe figs of Ficus vallis-choudae Delile (Moraceae) with antiplasmodial activity

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) 2022-07, Vol.121 (7), p.2121-2127
• Main Authors: Chouna, Hardo Suzy Donfack, Dize, Darline, Kagho, Donald Ulrich Kenou, Bankeu, Jean Jules Kezetas, Fongang, Yannick Stéphane Fotsing, Tali, Mariscal Brice Tchatat, Ponou, Beaudelaire Kemvoufo, Bitchagno, Gabin Thierry Mbahbou, Awantu, Angelbert Fusi, Tapondjou, Léon Azefack, Lenta, Bruno Ndjakou, Fekam, Fabrice Boyom, Sewald, Norbert, Ngouela, Silvère Augustin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetates; Acetic acid; Analysis; Antimalarial agents; Antiprotozoal agents; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Chloroquine; Dichloromethane; Drug discovery; Drug resistance in microorganisms; Esters; Ethyl acetate; Ficus vallis-choudae; Immunology; Malaria; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Medical Microbiology; Methanol; Microbiology; Multidrug resistance; Nausea; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Plasmodium falciparum; Treatment and Prophylaxis - Original Paper
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07540-5

Ripe figs, barks, and wood of Ficus vallis-choudae are used in traditional medicine against several conditions including nausea and malaria. However, its use is still to be scientifically documented and validated. Hence, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of the dichloromethane-methanol (DCM-MeOH (1:1)) crude extract, their hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanoli fractions, as well as the isolated chemical constituents. The chemical study of the DCM-MeOH (1:1) crude extract of F. vallis-choudae figs led to the isolation of fifteen (15) known compounds identified based on their spectroscopic data [one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry] and by comparison of these data with those reported in the literature. Some of the isolated compounds were assessed in vitro for their antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 ( Pf 3D7) and multidrug-resistant Dd2 strains. The dichloromethane fraction exhibited very good antiplasmodial activity against both strains with IC 50 values of 13.86 μg/mL and 8.18 μg/mL, respectively. Among the tested compounds, wighteone ( 2 ) was the most active against P. falciparum 3D7 (IC 50  = 24.6 ± 1.5 μM) and Dd2 (IC 50  = 11.9 ± 2.4 μM) strains. The obtained results could justify the traditional uses of F. vallis-choudae against malaria. Wighteone appears to be the most active ingredient. However, further consideration of this compound as starting point for antimalarial drug discovery will depend upon its selectivity of action towards Plasmodium parasites. Highlights • 15 (fifteen) compounds were isolated from the dichloromethane-methanol extract of Ficus vallis-choudae. • Their structures were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data. • The dichloromethane fraction showed promising activities on the Pf 3D7 and Pf Dd2 strains with IC 50 values of 13.86 and 8.18 µg/mL, respectively. • Wighteone was the most active compound against Pf Dd2 (IC 50  = 11.9 ± 2.4 μM). Graphical abstract