Antimalarial activity of lichen Usnea longissima

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum is one of the parasites that cause malaria infection. The presence of P. falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs encourages the search for alternative antimalarial therapies by studying the potential of medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was to examine antimalarial activity in acetone extract from Lichen Usnea longissima. Lichen U. longissima was extracted by maceration with acetone solvents. Antimalarial activity in vitro test using P. falciparum strain 3D7 parasite that is sensitive to chloroquine. Samples tested in concentration of 0.01; 0,1; 1; 10 and 100 μg / mL. The result showed that the percentage of P. Falciparum growth inhibition increased with the addition of extract acetone concentration of U. longissima. The extract showed good antimalarial activity with an IC50 value of 15.43 μg/mL, compared with the IC50 standard value for an active antimalarial extract is less than 50 μg/mL. This research concludes that acetone extract of U. longissima can be developed as a useful alternative antimalarial natural product resources.