In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activity and Chemical Composition of Combretum aculeatum, a Medicinal Plant From Niger

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Niger, accounting for 5.6% of global malaria-related deaths. Local medicinal plants are frequently used as traditional treatments for malaria, although their efficacy and safety are often insufficiently investigated. This study aims to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity and chemical composition of eight medicinal plants from Niger. Plant extracts were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit the uptake of [³H]-hypoxanthine in the Plasmodium falciparum NF54 chloroquine-sensitive strain. The most active extract was subjected to chemical analysis using HPLC-PDA-HRMS/MS dereplication, whereas major compounds were quantified via a validated LC-UV method. The ethyl acetate extract of Combretum aculeatum (2a) demonstrated important antiplasmodial activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 3.1 µg/mL and a selectivity index of 24.5. C-glycosyl flavonoids were identified as the primary constituents, present at concentrations ranging from 5.7 to 9.8 mg of vitexin equivalent per g of extract. However, the low abundance of these compounds suggests that other constituents may contribute to the extract's antiplasmodial effects. Further investigations are required to explore possible synergies among the components of 2a and to assess its efficacy in vivo models.