Plasmodium falciparum: Solanum nudum SN-1 steroid antiplasmodial activity when combined with antimalarial drugs

The effect of 16 alpha-acetoxy-26-hydroxycholest-4-ene-3,22-dione (SN-1) isolated from Solanum nudum Dunal (a Solanaceae traditionally used for treating fever in Colombia) on Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte stages and its in vitro antiplasmodial activity when combined with the following conventional drugs was studied: chloroquine (CQ), amodiaquine (AQ), desethylamodiaquine (desethyl-AQ), quinine (QN), artemisinin (AR), atovaquone (ATV) and quinine (QN). It was found that SN-1 targeted trophozoites and had a synergistic effect when combined with CQ and QN; however, it had an antagonist effect when used with the other combinations.

16 alpha-acetoxy-26-hydroxycholest-4-ene-3,22-dione (SN-1), steroid isolated from Solanum nudum Dunal, a Solanaceae used by folk-healers from the Colombian Pacific coast to treat malaria. It target young trophozoites and have a synergistic effect and when combined with CQ and QN.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► 16 alpha-acetoxy-26-hydroxycholest-4-ene-3,22-dione was isolated in vitro from Solanum nudum against target Plasmodium falciparum trophozoite stages.
► The chloroquine and quinine combination was synergistic.
► Amodiaquine, desethylamodiaquine, artemisinin and atovaquone combinations were antagonist.