Isolation, Characterization
and Antimalarial Activity of β-Sitosterol from the Leaves of Alchornea cordifolia
(Schumach. & Thonn.) Mull. Arg
Attah E.A., Mac-kalunta O.M., Ibeji Iheanyichukwu J., Otuokere I.E. and JohnBull
O.E.
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(3); 119-126;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/293rjce1190126; (2025)
Abstract
Alchornea cordifolia is well-known for its phytotherapeutic benefits which include
potential antimalarial effects. In this study, bioactive components from A. cordifolia
leaves were isolated and characterized. Additionally, the antimalarial effects of
its crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were examined in vitro on
human whole blood infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Standard techniques were
employed for extraction, column chromatography and in vitro antimalarial activity.
Salkowski and Liebermann-Burchard reactions were performed. The isolated fraction
was characterized using FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR (DEPT 135) and mass spectroscopy.
Salkowski and Liebermann-Burchard reactions showed the presence of steroids. The
compound interpreted from the spectral results was β-sitosterol. On antimalarial
activity, the % parasitaemia after 72 hours was 0.1±0.0 and 0.1±0.6 for crude methanol
extract and ethyl acetate fraction respectively.
The results compared well with the parasitaemia rates of the standard drugs (chloroquine,
0.1±0.0) and ACT (0.1±0.0). The isolated compound was identified as β-sitosterol,
which showed significant antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.
