Antiplasmodial activity of Cochlospermum planchonii and C-tinctorium tubercle essential oils

Essential oils obtained from the tubercles of Cochlospermum tinctorium (Hook.) and C, planchonii A. Rich (Cochlospermaceae-Bixaceae) were prepared by hydrodistillation. The oils components were characterized by GC and GC/MS. The oils were then tested for in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum The P, falciparum strains used were FcB1-Columbia (chloroquine-resistant) and a Nigerian strain (chloroquine-sensitive). The oil concentrations inducing 50% inhibition of the in vitro parasite growth (IC50) after 24 and 72 hour contact between the oil and the parasite culture, ranged from 5-600 mug/mL. The oils were obtained from whole tubercles, tubercle epiderma and the central cylinder of both Cochlospermum species. C. tinctorium epiderma oil showed the best antimalarial activity with IC50 ranging from 5-53 mug/mL. The oil toxicity was evaluated on K562 cells and showed IC,, values ranging between 75-1600 mug/mL.