Antiplasmodial and anticancer activities of xanthones isolated from Garcinia bancana Miq

This report describes the isolation and characterization of xanthones from Garcinia bancana Miq. and evaluates their antiplasmodial and anticancer activities. Macluraxanthone (1), isojacareubin (2), and gerontoxanthone C (3) were isolated from the stem bark of G. bancana Miq. for the first time. In silico molecular docking studies revealed the hydrogen bonding and steric interactions between xanthones (1-3) and PfLDH/VEGFR2. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was assayed against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) method. The anticancer evaluation was evaluated against the A549, MCF-7, HeLa, and B-16 cancer cell lines. Compounds (1) (IC₅₀ 8.45-16.71 μM) and (3) (IC₅₀ 9.69-14.86 μM) showed more potent anticancer activity than compound (2) (IC₅₀ 25.46-31.31 μM), as well for their antiplasmodial activity (4.28 μM, 5.52 μM, 11.45 μM). Our findings indicated the potential of G. bancana Miq. as a natural resource of antiplasmodial and anticancer compounds.