Abstract
BackgroundMalaria is one of the most important tropical diseases and the greatest cause of hospitalization and death. Recurring problems of drug resistance are reinforcing the need for finding new antimalarial drugs. In this respect, natural plant products are the main sources of biologically active compounds and have potential for the development of novel antimalarial drugs. A study was conducted to evaluate extracts of the leaves of Croton macrostachyus and Acokanthera schimperi for their in vivo antimalarial activity.MethodsThe plants were selected based on their ethnomedicinal information. Acute and sub- acute toxicity studies of the crude extracts were carried out in Swiss albino mice. To assess the effect of extracts of the plants on the parasite, a 4-day suppressive standard test was performed using Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain). Data were analyzed using paired t-test and ANOVA.ResultsIn acute toxicity study, the two plants extracts did not show any sign of toxicity up to 2000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity study, both plants did not exhibit any hematological change and mortality throughout the observation period up to the highest dose of 1000 mg/kg given daily. Extracts of the leaves of both plants significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed parasitaemia in dose dependent manner at all dose levels.ConclusionsThe findings may support the traditional use of the plants to treat malaria. Further pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical studies are, however, required to evaluate the potential of the plants towards the development of new antimalarial agent.
Highlights
Malaria is one of the most important tropical diseases and the greatest cause of hospitalization and death
Multi-drug resistant strains of the parasite to antimalarial drugs proved to be a challenging problem in malaria control in most parts of the world [1]
Plant material collection sites Young leaves of Acokanthera schimperi were collected from Bishan Gari Lodge area (Buku Wolda) about 20 km off the Addis Ababa – Hawasa road in December 2012 and that of Croton macrostachyus from the compound of the Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology (ALIPB) in October, 2012
Summary
Malaria is one of the most important tropical diseases and the greatest cause of hospitalization and death. Recurring problems of drug resistance are reinforcing the need for finding new antimalarial drugs. In this respect, natural plant products are the main sources of biologically active compounds and have potential for the development of novel antimalarial drugs. Multi-drug resistant strains of the parasite to antimalarial drugs proved to be a challenging problem in malaria control in most parts of the world [1]. These recurring problems render development and promotion of phytomedicines as alternative solution to malaria control [7]. Over 1200 plant species from 160 families are used to treat malaria and fever in endemic countries [10]
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