Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Parasitic In Vitro Effects of Pouteria alnifolia Extracts and Fractions on Coronavirus Type 2 Activity

Abstract

Background: Herbal medicine is popular all across the globe, including in tropical Africa, but there isn't a ton of research to back up claims about its safety and effectiveness. Pouteria alnifolia was the subject of this investigation because of its possible use as a substitute anti-infective. The methods used in this study included bioactivity-guided isolation of P. alnifolia extracts from various parts of the plant, and the determination of the fractions' and extracts' cytotoxicity, anti-SARS-CoV-2, antitrypanosomal, and antileishmanial properties in vitro using the alamarBlue assay. Microscopical analysis of cell counts after parasite exposure to varying concentrations of chosen extracts and fractions allowed researchers to deduce the growth kinetics of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. While no anthracene or anthraquinone derivatives were detected in any of the fractions that were analyzed, the most prevalent phytochemicals found in these fractions were cardiac glycosides and terpenoids. In contrast to the butanol (BuOH) portions of the fruit pulp, stem, and roots, the dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of the seeds and whole fruit (WF) also included alkaloids. Leishmania donovani had IC50 values ranging from 1.3 ± 0.1 to 27.8 ± 1.8 g/mL, while T. b. brucei had values between 07 ± 0.0 and 59.5 ± 0.3 g/mL. BuOH fractions from seeds and WFs were particularly potent against SARS-CoV-2, whereas DCM extracts from stem, seeds, and WFs reduced the development of T. b. brucei. Conclusion: P. alnifolia extracts and fractions show promise as chemotherapeutic agents for a range of tropical African illnesses; additional research is needed to confirm this.