2. Academic Validation
  3. Mineral Fertilization Influences the Growth, Cryptolepine Yield, and Bioefficacy of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt

Mineral Fertilization Influences the Growth, Cryptolepine Yield, and Bioefficacy of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt

  • Plants (Basel). 2022 Jan 1;11(1):122. doi: 10.3390/plants11010122.
Jacqueline Naalamle Amissah 1,  Forgive Enyonam Alorvor 1,  Benjamin Azu Okorley 1,  Chris Mpere Asare 2,  Dorcas Osei-Safo 3,  Regina Appiah-Opong 4,  Ivan Addae-Mensah 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Crop Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 44, GM, Ghana.
  • 2 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), Bunso P.O. Box 7, EE, Ghana.
  • 3 Chemistry Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 56, GM, Ghana.
  • 4 Department of Clinical Pathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, GM, Ghana.
PMID: 35009125 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010122
Abstract

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlt., the main source of cryptolepine alkaloid, is intensively exploited in the wild to treat malaria and Lyme disease. In this study, the influence of four inorganic fertilizers (supplying N, P, K, or NPK) and four growth periods (3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplanting) on the herb's root biomass, cryptolepine content and yield, and biological activities were investigated in a pot and field trial. The results showed the application of N (in the form of Urea or NPK) increased root biomass yield, cryptolepine content, and cryptolepine yield compared to unfertilized Plants. The 9-month-old Plants recorded the maximum cryptolepine content (2.26 mg/100 mg dry root) and cryptolepine yield (304.08 mg/plant), indicating the perfect time to harvest the herb. Plant age at harvest had a more significant influence (50.6-55.7%) on cryptolepine production than fertilizer application (29.2-33.3%). Cryptolepine extracts from 9- to 12-month-old Plants had the highest antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 2.56-4.65 µg/mL) and drug selectivity index (2.15-3.91) against Plasmodium falciparum Dd2. These extracts were also cytotoxic to Jurkat leukaemia cell lines (CC50 < 62.56 µg/mL), indicating the possible use of cryptolepine for Cancer management. Growing the herb in the field increased cryptolepine yield 2.5 times compared to growth in a pot, but this did not influence the antiplasmodial activity of the extract. Commercial cultivation of C. sanguinolenta for 9 months combined with N application could be a promising solution to the sustainable use of this threatened medicinal species.

Keywords

antiplasmodial; cytotoxicity; domestication; endangered medicinal plant; growth period; malaria.

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