Planta Med. 1992 Oct; 58(5): 436-41.

Evaluation of plant extracts for antileishmanial activity using a mechanism-based radiorespirometric microtechnique (RAM).

Iwu MM, Jackson JE, Tally JD, Klayman DL.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D.C. 20307.

Extracts of eleven plants used in Nigerian traditional medicine have been evaluated for possible antileishmanial activity using a radiorespirometric microtest technique based on in vitro inhibition of catabolism of 14CO2 from a battery of 14C-substrates by promastigotes. Of 13 methanol extracts tested, 5 from Gongronema latifolia, Dorstenia multiradiata, Picralima nitida, Cola attiensis, and Desmodium gangeticum, were active at concentrations of 50 micrograms/ml or less against a visceral Leishmania isolate.