Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38326823›Full record

ArticleBMC complementary medicine and therapies2024

Betulinic and ursolic acids from Nauclea latifolia roots mediate their antimalarial activities through docking with PfEMP-1 and PfPKG proteins.

Edet Effiong Asanga, Ndifreke Daniel Ekpo, Affiong Asuquo Edeke, Chinedum Martins Ekeleme, Henshaw Uchechi Okoroiwu, Uwem Okon Edet, Ekementeabasi A Umoh, Nikita Elkanah Umoaffia, Olorunfemi Abraham Eseyin, Ani Nkang and 5 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
3.8field-weighted citation impact, top 7% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 13 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
  2. Unravelling therapeutic potentials ofJournal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology · 2025
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. The antimalarial profiling ofJournal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology · 2024
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Edet Effiong AsangaDepartment of Biochemistry, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ndifreke Daniel EkpoDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Affiong Asuquo EdekeDepartment of Biochemistry, TopFaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Chinedum Martins EkelemeDepartment of Biochemistry, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Henshaw Uchechi OkoroiwuDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. okoroiwuhenshaw@gmail.com.
Uwem Okon EdetDepartment of Microbiology, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ekementeabasi A UmohDepartment of Human Physiology, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Nikita Elkanah UmoaffiaDepartment of Microbiology, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Olorunfemi Abraham EseyinDepartment of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Ani NkangDepartment of Biological Sciences, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Monday AkpanabiatuDepartment of Biochemistry, AkwaIbom State University, IkotAkpaden, Mkpatenin, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Jude Efiom OkokonDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Sylvia AkpotuzorDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Bright Asuquo EffiongDepartment of Biochemistry, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
MacGeorge EttabaDepartment of Biochemistry, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria.
University of Uyo · NGAkwa Ibom State University · NG

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChemotherapies target the PfEMP-1 and PfPKG proteins in Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria, in an effort to prevent the disease's high fatality rate. This work identified the phytochemical components of Nauclea latifolia roots and docked the chemical compounds against target proteins, and examined the in vivo antiplasmodial effect of the roots on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

methodsStandard protocols were followed for the collection of the plant's roots, cleaning, and drying of the roots, extraction and fraction preparation, assessment of the in vivo antiplasmodial activity, retrieval of the PfEMP-1 and PfPKG proteins, GCMS, ADME, and docking studies, chromatographic techniques were employed to separate the residual fraction's components, and the Swis-ADME program made it possible to estimate the drug's likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. The Auto Dock Vina 4.2 tool was utilized for molecular docking analysis.

resultsThe residual fraction showed the best therapeutic response when compared favorably to amodiaquine (80.5%) and artesunate (85.1%). It also considerably reduced the number of parasites, with the % growth inhibition of the parasite at 42.8% (D2) and 83.4% (D5). Following purification, 25 compounds were isolated and characterized with GCMS. Based on their low molecular weights, non-permeation of the blood-brain barrier, non-inhibition of metabolizing enzymes, and non-violation of Lipinski's criteria, betulinic and ursolic acids were superior to chloroquine as the best phytochemicals. Hence, they are lead compounds.

conclusionIn addition to identifying the bioactive compounds, ADME, and docking data of the lead compounds as candidates for rational drug design processes as observed against Plasmodium falciparum target proteins (PfEMP-1 and PfPKG), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of malaria, the study has validated that the residual fraction of N. latifolia roots has the best antiplasmodial therapeutic index.

Indexed as

AntimalarialsMalariaRubiaceaeTriterpenesAnimalsMiceMolecular Docking SimulationPlant ExtractsPlasmodium falciparumUrsolic AcidAntimalarialsPlant ExtractsTriterpenesUrsolic AcidBetulinic acidDockingGCMSMalariaNauclea latifoliaPlasmodium bergheiUrsolic acid

Identifiers

PMID38326823
PMCPMC10848498
OpenAlexW4391604061

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.