HPLC Fingerprint Analysis with in - vitro Antimalarial Activity and Bioassay Guided Fractionation of Two Organic Extract from Ageratum conyzoides Leaves

We investigated the antimalarial activities of fractions from cyclohexane and dichloromethane extracts of Ageratum conyzoides Leaves. These extracts were fractionated using preparative - TLC and six fractions were obtained for each extract. The antimalarial activity of these fractions was evaluated against Plasmodium falciparum. Fractions 4 (F4) and 5 (F5) from dichloromethane extract showed the best antimalarial activities against the parasite with IC50 values of 0.25 and 0.30?g/mL, respectively. The HPLC profile of these most active fractions were developed and showed two and three major peaks respectively for fraction 4 (F4) and 5 (F5). Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids in the fraction 4, whereas only steroids and terpenoids were found in the fraction 5 (F5). Thus, these fractions could be considered as the prospective fractions to be developed as antimalarial drugs.