An Investigation on Anti-malarial Effects of Tehranolide Isolated from Artemisia diffusa Against Human Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

Tehranolide which has been isolated from Artemisia diffusa has similar functional group to Artemisinin. More attention has been paid to Artemisia annua L., for its anti-plasmodial properties. In the present study, we investigated the anti-malarial effects of Tehranolide against human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. The chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive strain (3D7) of P. falciparum was continuously cultured in PRMI medium with addition of HT serum Albumax, RBC of O blood group, 05% CO2 at 37°C. The anti-malarial activity was determined by using different concentrations including 10, 30, 50 mg mLG of Tehranolide were made in drug vehicle including distilled water, methanol, DMSO and applied for therapy. Percentage of parasitaemia was counted after 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment for each concentration. Results indicated no effects of low concentration of Tehranolide on parasitaemia, however the concentrations of 10, 30 and 50 mg mLG represented their anti-plasmodial activities. The cytotoxic effects of high concentration occurred by destroying both parasites and RBCs in culture medium. Inhibition concentration of 50% (IC50) on plasmodial survival was observed at concentration of 10 mg mLG after 48-72 h of treatment. It is concluded that, Tehranolide seems to be a promising drug exhibiting good anti-malarial effects in this human malaria P. falciparum model in vitro. However, more research is required before Tehranolide can be used for malaria treatment in human cases.