Antiplasmodial evaluation of Anacardium occidentale and alkyl-phenols

The ethanol crude extract from cashew (Anacardium occidentale L. Anacardiaceae) displayed significant antiplasmodial activity (IC 50 0.577 μg/ml). Liquid chromatography-high resolution Mass spectrometry analysis was performed to identify the main compounds existing in the ethanol extract. The occurrence of anacardic acids, cardols, and 2-methylcardols derivatives was confirmed in the extract. The IC 50 obtained, when the main isolated compounds were evaluated in Plasmodium falciparum D6 strain, ranged from 5.39 μM to >100 μM. Tested here for the first time, the data showed that cardol triene 1 (IC 50 = 5.69 μM) and 2-methylcardol triene 4 (IC 50 = 5.39 μM) demonstrated good antimalarial activity. In conclusion, Anacardium occidentale nuts presented relevant biological potential, and further studies should be considered.