Antiplasmodial, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory and cytotoxicity properties of Centratherum punctatum Cass. and its fractions

Abstract The hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of an ethanolic extract of Centratherum punctatum leaves were screened for antiplasmodial, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory and cytotoxicity properties. The crude extract exhibited both antiplasmodial (IC 50  = 3.2 μg/ml) and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory (IC 50  = 72.8 μg/ml) activities. A remarkable improvement in both antiplasmodial (IC 50  = 0.419 μg/ml) and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory (IC 50  = 52.4 μg/ml) activities was observed with dichloromethane fraction. The study revealed the antiplasmodial and HIV-1 RT inhibitory effects of C. punctatum and its fractions, especially the dichloromethane fraction. However, its safety index values [antiplasmodial (0.2), HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition (0.0017)] indicate that the fraction is cytotoxic.