Analysis of eponemycin (α'β' epoxyketone) analog compound from streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp hygroscopicus extracts and its antiplasmodial activity during plasmodium berghei infection

Background & objectives: The greatest challenge in reducing the high mortality and morbidity of malaria is due to the emerging incidence of artemisinin resistance. We analyzed eponemycin analog in Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp Hygroscopicus extract and its anti-plasmodial activity in P. berghei. Methods: Isolate of S. hygroscopicus was macerated using ethyl acetate: International Streptomyces Project 4/ISP4 medium (1:1 v/v) and analyzed using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Plasmodium berghei-infected mice were grouped into a group of non-treated control and three groups treated with various dosage of S. hygroscopicus (130, 580, and 2600 μg/kgBW for 5 days). Results: TLC analysis showed a spot with Refractory factor (Rf) 0.7. HPLC demonstrated 3.768% and 5.796% Dyhidroeponemycin in two samples. The degree of parasite on Day 3-6 (compared to Day 1) was significantly lower when a series of dosages of 130, 580, and 2600 μg/kgBW were given. Treatment with this compound at the dosage of 2600 μg/kgBW reduced the degree of parasite on almost all days. Histological examination of the spleen showed morphological improvement in all treated groups. Conclusion: Eponemycin analog in crude metabolite extracts of S. h. Hygroscopicus is potential candidate for a new antimalarial drug.