In Vitro Antimalarial Activity of Eight Essential Oils

Abstract

Abstract Essential oils of eight plants were prepared by hydrodistillation of leaves and twigs (stems) of Artemisia vulgaris, Eucalyptus globulus, Myrtus communis, Juniperus communis, Lavandula angusti/olia, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis. Their oil components were characterized by GC and MS. These oils were then tested for in vitro antimalarial activity on Plasmodium falciparum. Two strains of P. falciparum were tested: FcBl-Columbia (chloroquine-resistant) and a Nigerian chloroquine-sensitive strain. Concentrations inhibiting 50% of the parasite in vitro growth, obtained after 24 and 72 h contact between the oil and the parasite culture, ranged from 150 μg/mL to 1 mg/mL. The best results were obtained with Myrtus communis and Rosmarinus officinalis oils which inhibited P. falciparum at concentrations ranging from 150 to 270 μg/mL.