Antimalarial, Non Alkaloidal Molecules from Preliminary Elucidation of Nauclea Diderechi Extract

Abstract

The work investigated pharmacologically useful classes of compounds, from the petroleum ether fraction of the stem bark of Nauclea diderichii. From the bioassay, most of the microbes showed sensitivity except for Streptococcus pyrogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungus Candida stellatoidea, where the extracts were non -active. Petroleum ether extract was below detectable limits (BDL) in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Corynebacterium ulcereas, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungi, Candida albucans, Candida stellatoidea and Candida tropical. Chloroform extract had the highest activity, followed by the ethyl acetate, then the methanol and lastly the petroleum ether. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 1.25 mg/mL on the average. MBC was 2.25 mg/mL and MFC 5.00 mg/ml. Anti-malaria activity showed the LD₅₀ of the acute toxicity as ≥ 3800 mg kg^-1 body weight. The suppressive test, curative effect, prophylactic effect and the survival periods were highly encouraging. Three compounds were isolated from the preliminary pet. Ether fraction of Nauclea diderichii and identified by infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV) and gas/liquid chromatography –mass spectroscopy (GC/LC-MS), analyses as Hexadecanoic acid,15-methyl-, methyl-ester, 7- Tetradecenal and 9- and 10- octadecenoic acid, methyl ester. These findings were in consonance with literature of plants and lent credence for the use of the stem bark of Nauclea diderichii as a potential natural drug source for treatment of some ailments in Adamawa State of northeastern Nigeria and beyond.