Antiplasmodial Activity ofCochlospermum planchoniiand C.tinctoriumTubercle Essential Oils

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.