In this study the in vitro antiplasmodial activities of extracts from Cussonia spicata (Araliaceae), Artemisia afra, Vernonia colorata, V. natalensis (Asteraceae), Parinari curatellifolia (Chrysobalanaceae), Clutia hirsuta, Flueggea virosa, (Euphorbiaceae), Adenia gummifera (Passifloraceae) and Hymenodictyon floribundum, (Rubiaceae) were evaluated. The lipophilic extracts from the aerial parts of Artemisia afra and Vernonia colorata proved to be the most active against the chloroquine-sensitive strain PoW and against the chloroquine-resistant clone Dd2 of Plasmodium falciparum. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract of A. afra yielded seven flavonoids, from which acacetin, genkwanin and 7-methoxyacacetin showed in vitro activity; the IC50 values ranged from 4.3 μg/mL to 12.6 μg/mL. In addition, several sesquiterpene lactones could be obtained from the most active fractions. Whereas eudesmaafraglaucolide proved to be inactive, the guaianolides 1-desoxy-1αperoxy-rupicolin A-8-O-acetate, 1α,4α-dihydroxybishopsolicepolide and rupicolin A-8-O-acetate revealed in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Evaluation of V. colorata gained four sesquiterpenes 11β,13-dihydrovernodalin, vernodalol, 11β,13-dihydrovernolide and 11β,13,17,18-tetrahydrovernolide, from which the first two constituents exhibited the strongest antiplasmodial activity (IC50 values: 1.1-4.8 μg/mL). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
