Antimalarial activity of lactucin and lactucopicrin: sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Cichorium intybus L

J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec;95(2-3):455-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.06.031.

Abstract

Folklore reports from Afghanistan prior to the wars described the use of aqueous root extracts of Cichorium intybus (L.) as a light-sensitive plant remedy for malaria. Preparative isolation and bioassay against HB3 clone of strain Honduras-1 of Plasmodium falciparum identified the previously known light-sensitive sesquiterpene lactones Lactucin and Lactucopicrin to be antimalarial compounds.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / isolation & purification
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Cichorium intybus*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Lactones / isolation & purification
  • Lactones / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Roots
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / physiology
  • Sesquiterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Lactones
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sesquiterpenes