Activity of extracts and procesterol from Calotropis gigantea against Entamoeba histolytica

Abstract

Extracts from the root bark of Calotropis gigantea were subjected to bioactivity-guided fractionation using growth inhibitory effects against Entamoeba histolytica. The n-hexane soluble portion of the chloroform extract showed in vitro antiamoebic activity against the HK-9 strain of Entamoeba histolytica. Chromatographic separation of the chloroform extract afforded the known compound, procesterol, which showed activity against E. histolytica.