Antiplasmodial activity of extracts and quassinoids isolated from seedlings of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Simaroubaceae)

Abstract

Abstract Extracts and isolated compounds from seedlings of Ailanthus altissima , were assessed for antiplasmodial activity in vitro . Two quassinoids, ailanthone and 6 α ‐tigloyloxychaparrinone, isolated from the active extracts showed activity against both chloroquine‐resistant and chloroquine‐sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro . Only ailanthone demonstrated low toxicity against the Vero cell line (kidney cells from the African green monkey). This is the first report of the isolation and antiplasmodial activity of 6 α ‐tigloyloxychaparrinone from this species. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.