Abstract
Background: Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Calophyllaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for infectious, inflammatory, and skin-related disorders. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antimalarial, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of its leaf extract, with emphasis on bioactive constituents.
Methods: The extract was characterized using HPLC, GC-MS, AAS, and FTIR. Antimalarial activity was evaluated in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum, while docking was performed against P. falciparum 3BPF (falcipain-2) and 3BPM (falcipain-3). Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS•⁺, FRAP, Fe²⁺ chelation, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against bacterial and fungal pathogens using agar well diffusion.
Results: Phytochemical characterization revealed secondary metabolites, including polyphenols, amino acids, and terpenoid-related constituents, together with nutritionally relevant elements. The extract produced 82.4% parasite inhibition at 100 µg/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 18.6 µg/mL. Molecular docking showed binding energies of −3.6 to −8.7 kcal/mol; rutin hydrate and naringin showed predicted binding at −8.3 and −8.7 kcal/mol, respectively, compared with −7.3 kcal/mol for lumefantrine. The extract demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.29±0.005 mg/mL for DPPH, 0.70±0.005 mmol TEAC/100 g for ABTS•⁺, 0.80±0.005 mg AAE/g for FRAP, 0.080±0.005 mg/mL for Fe²⁺ chelation, and 0.070±0.004 mg/mL for hydroxyl radical scavenging. Antimicrobial activity occurred against all tested microorganisms, with inhibition zones of 10–18 mm.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate diverse constituents associated with measurable in-vitro antimalarial, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Strong predicted phytochemical interactions with falcipain targets support further investigation of C. inophyllum as a source of antimalarial lead compounds and phytotherapeutic agents.
Keywords: Calophyllum inophyllum; phytochemicals; antimalarial; antioxidant; pharmacokinetic, drug-likeness.
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