Original Articles
Parinuch Chumkaew and Theera S
Abstract
The leaf, root, and stem extracts of Brucea javanica were screened for phytochemical properties and antimalarial activity, after extractions with various organic solvents. Qualitative analysis of the phytochemical constituents showed the presence of the following secondary metabolites: terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, phenols, glycosides, alkaloids, and anthraquinones. The extracts showed very strong in vitro activity against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The phytochemical constituents in the extracts were also assessed. The acetone extract of the roots showed excellent antimalarial activity with an IC50 value of 0.28 mg/ml, whereas stem and leaf extracts had high antimalarial activities with IC50 about 2.5 mg/ml.