In Vitro Antiplasmodial and Cytotoxic Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Apical Stem of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae).

The in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extracts from whole plant, fresh apical stems and calli from fresh apical stem of Phyllanthus amarus cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with indole-butyric acid (IBA)/benzylaminopurine (BAP) 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:4, IBA/BAP/mannitol 1:1:0.5%, IBA/BAP/mannitol: 2% for three months were evaluated. Results indicated that all ethanol extracts showed an in vitro antiplasmodial activity at different extends. The most active ethanol extract was that from callus cultivated with IBA/BAP/ mannitol 1:1:05% (IC50 < 0.19 μg/ml). The ethanol whole plant and intact apical stem extracts exhibited an activity with IC50 values of 2.5 ± 0.4 and 8.2 ± 1.9 μg/ml, respectively. Quercetin, lupeol and ellagic acid displayed an antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 3.2 ± 0.6, 8.3 ± 1.4 and 0.07 ± 0.02 μg/ml, respectively. All ethanol extracts and isolated compounds were considered to be non cytotoxic against MT-4 cell lines growth (CC50 > 32 μg/ml). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]