Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract With the increase in the resistance of P. falciparum (the deadliest malaria-causing Plasmodium) to antimalarial alkaloid-based drugs, there is intense research on new drugs that can combat malaria. Plants provide an unlimited source of bioactive compounds that can be used to treat various diseases. In addition, plant host endophytes such as bacteria and fungi are regarded as ideal sources of bioactive constituents. The Combretum Mossambicense plant is a medicinal plant traditionally used as an effective herbal remedy for malaria treatment. However, very little research has been conducted to investigate the phytochemical composition of this plant. In this study, the phytochemistry of the extracts of this plant was investigated and referenced to the chemistry of the commercial drugs used to treat malaria. The results showed that Combretum mossambicense extracts contained alkaloids. However, the alkaloids found in the plant extracts are not directly linked to those reported for the treatment of malaria. A literature review of other compounds found in the plant showed that other non-alkaloid compounds had a positive effect on P. falciparum. According to literature, antimicrobial compounds can be used to treat malaria. The profiles of all plant parts revealed the presence of numerous compounds with reported biological importance, including antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant activities. Furthermore, some of these samples contained compounds similar to those reported for conventional non-alkaloid antimalarial drugs. It has been shown that Combretum mossambicense contains non-alkaloid but anti-plasmodial compounds such as 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (linoleic acid), 17octadecynoic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and beta-sitosterol. These compounds are present as modern non-alkaloid-based antimalarial drugs that fight P. falciparum resistance. Given the reported increase in the resistance of P. falciparum to alkaloid-based anti-malaria drugs, the efficacy of this non-alkaloid herbal remedy for malaria treatment is important.
Chikambwe et al. (Mon,) studied this question.