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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
In vitro activity of extract and fractions of natural cocoa powder on Plasmodium falciparum
Journal of Medicinal Food, Volume 15, No. 5, Year 2012
Notification
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Description
Several flavonoids isolated from certain plants have demonstrated antiplasmodial activity, after their initial indigenous use in malaria treatment. Cocoa has been found to be a rich food source of flavonoids in comparison with many common foods and beverages. The aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro activity of natural cocoa powder on the growth of Plasmodium falciparum. Prepared crude methanol extract was partitioned successively with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and butanol. Total flavonoid concentration in the crude methanol extract and fractions was measured by the AlCl3 colorimetric assay. Direct inhibitory activity of the natural cocoa powder was assessed by culturing extract and fractions with P. falciparum in vitro. Greater antiplasmodial activity was observed in nonpolar solvent fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether) compared with polar solvents. The chloroform fraction was most active, with mean±SEM 50% and 90% inhibition concentrations of 48.3±0.9 and 417±7.8 μg/mL, respectively. The study showed a weak association between total flavonoid concentration and antiplasmodial activity. Early trophozoite (ring-stage) synchronized cultures treated with the chloroform fraction of natural cocoa powder showed a decline in growth. Further reduction in parasitemia was also observed for other erythrocytic stages. These results suggest that natural cocoa powder has measurable direct in vitro inhibitory effect on P. falciparum and support the anecdotal reports of its ability to prevent malaria as a result of regular intake as a beverage. © Copyright 2012, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition.
Authors & Co-Authors
Amponsah, Seth Kwabena
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Bugyei, Kwasi Agyei
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Osei-Safo, Dorcas
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Addai, Frederick K.
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Asare, George Awuku
Ghana, Accra
College of Health Sciences
Tsegah, Emmanuel Aheto
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Baah, Joseph
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Ofori, Michael F.
Ghana, Accra
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
Gyan, Ben Adu
Ghana, Accra
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
Statistics
Citations: 22
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1089/jmf.2011.0220
ISSN:
1096620X
Research Areas
Food Security
Infectious Diseases