Anthelmintic Activity of Punicalagin from Anogeissus Leiocarpus

Leaves of Anogeissus leiocarpus Guill. & Perr. have been traditionally used as an African botanical treatment for parasitic worm infections in both humans and livestock. This current study documents the presence of punicalagin isomers (α & β) and its galloyl ester, 1-O-galloyl-punicalagin as major components in the leaf extract of A. leiocarpus. Identification was performed using HPLC and LC-ion trap-top of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS). The activity of punicalagin was assessed with Caenorhabditis elegans using 24 and 48 hour motility assays. Punicalagin exhibited activity against C.elegans with a 24 hour LD50 of 1.69 mM and a 48 hour LD50 of 0.98 mM. The concentration of punicalagin in the leaf extract accounted for 47.5 μg mg, while the concentration of 1-O-galloyl-punicalagin was 24.5 μg mg, quantified as punicalagin equivalent. This level of punicalagin alone was not sufficient to account for the activity seen in the leaf aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus, indicating that other compounds present in the extract such as 1-O-galloyl-punicalagin and gallic acid may have also contributed to the activity. However, the level of punicalagin in the leaf aqueous extract of A. leiocarpus was demonstrated at concentrations comparable to those found in A. leiocarpus treatment regimens for ruminant parasites.