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. 1995 Dec;39(12):2606–2609. doi: 10.1128/aac.39.12.2606

Potent antimalarial activity of the alkaloid nitidine, isolated from a Kenyan herbal remedy.

D M Gakunju 1, E K Mberu 1, S F Dossaji 1, A I Gray 1, R D Waigh 1, P G Waterman 1, W M Watkins 1
PMCID: PMC162997  PMID: 8592987

Abstract

Bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts of Toddalia asiatica, a plant used by the Pokot tribe of Kenya to treat fevers, has yielded the alkaloid nitidine as the major antimalarial component. Fractions containing nitidine have in vitro 50% inhibitory concentrations against Plasmodium falciparum in the range of 9 to 108 ng/ml for a range of chloroquine-susceptible and -resistant strains. The results show a lack of cross-resistance between chloroquine and nitidine.

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Selected References

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