Evaluation of in vitro Antiplasmodial Activity and Chromatographic Analysis for Quinine and Codeine Quantification from the Total Alkaloids Extract of Mitragyna ciliata

Background: Malaria is the most common parasitosis in the world and still constitutes a major public heath menace, particularly in subsaharan african countries. With the rising resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to antimalarial drugs, including artemisinin-based combination, there is a necessary to accelerate the discovery and development of new potential antimalarial drugs. Moreover, Traditional medicinal plants are one of the potential sources of anti-malarial drugs. In Côte d’Ivoire, Mitragyna ciliata is commonly used as a medicine in the treatment of malaria in traditional medicine with limited scientific evidence. Objectives: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the total alkaloids extract of Mitragyna ciliata and determine the quantification of codein and quinin, two alkaloids in this extract. Materials and Methods: The total alkaloid extract from Mitragyna ciliata stem barks was obtained using acid/base extraction method. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity of total alkaloids were tested against 4 clinical isolates of P. falciparum (ANK 21001, ANK 21002, ANK 21005 and ANK 21006) and revealed using the SYBR Green. Quinin and codein were identify and quantify using chromatographic analysis as HPLC. Results: In general, total alkaloids extract of M. ciliata exhibited moderate activity against the 4 clinical isolates of P. falciparum, with IC₅₀ (inhibitory concentration) ranging between 18 and 37.52 μg/mL whereas dihyroartemisin, used as positive control, showed very active anti-plasmodial activity against these clinical isolates (1.38 nM < IC₅₀ < 1.45 nM). The HPLC profile revealed several peaks suggesting presence of some bioactive compounds including quinin and codein, in respective contents of 21.15 mg/100 g et 1.68 mg/100 g of total alkaloids extract. Conclusion: The results obtained constitute a scientific basis to support the traditional use of M. ciliata in the treatment of malaria in Côte d’Ivoire.

Key words: Alkaloids, HPLC, Clinical isolates, Antiplasmodial activity, Malaria, Mitragyna ciliata.