Antiparasitic activity of some New Caledonian medicinal plants

Twenty-nine extracts of 18 medicinal plants used in New Caledonia by traditional healers to treat inflammation, fever and in cicatrizing remedies were evaluated in vitro against several parasites (Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trichomonas vaginalis and Caenorhabditis elegans). Among the selected plants, Scaevola balansae and Premna serratifolia L. were the most active against Leishmania donovani with IC50 values between 5 and 10 mu g/ml. The almond and aril extracts from Myristica fatua had an IC50 value of 0.5-5 mu g/ml against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Only Scaevola balansae extract presented a weak activity against Trichomonas vaginalis. The almond extract from Myristica fatua presented significant activity against Caenorhabditis elegans (IC50 value of 6.6 +/- 1.2 mu g/ml). (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.