In vitro screening of traditional South African malaria remedies against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum

Three hundred extracts were prepared from plants traditionally used in South Africa to treat malaria and screened in vitro for activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. For the 43 extracts which inhibited the growth of one or more parasites to more than 95?% at 9.7?μg/mL, the IC?? values against all four protozoal parasites and cytotoxic IC??s against rat myoblast L6 cells were determined. Amongst the most notable results are the activities of AGATHOSMA APICULATA (IC?? of 0.3?μg/mL) against Plasmodium falciparum, as well as Salvia repens and Maytenus undata against Leishmania donovani with IC??s of 5.4?μg/mL and 5.6?μg/mL, respectively. This screening is the starting point for a HPLC-based activity profiling project in antiprotozoal lead discovery.