In Vitro Antimalarial Activity of Extracts of Some Indigenous Plant Species in Kebbi State

Abstract

The search for antimalarial compounds has been necessitated by the resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to almost all antimalarial drugs. The aim of this research was to determine in-vitro antimalarial activity of extracts of some indigenous plants species in Kebbi State. Plant extraction was carried-out by maceration using ethanol and water as solvent. The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was evaluated against fresh clinical isolates of P. falciparum using WHO method of in-vitro micro test. Phytochemical screening was also carried out on the extract to deduce the active chemicals present in the plant extract. All plant extracts demonstrate dose dependent antimicrobial activities with IC50 Less than 50%. However highest growth inhibition of the P. falciparum was demonstrated by aqueous and ethanol extract of A. indica with IC50 7.4µg/ml and 8.6µg/ml respectively followed by ethanol and aqueous extract of C. occidentalis with IC50 15.3µg/ml and 18.0µg/ml respectively. Least antimalarial activity was demonstrated by aqueous extract of M. oleifera with IC50 33.5µg/ml while ethanolic extract of M. oleifera demonstrated IC50 of 20.50µg/ml. M. indica ethanolic and aqueous extract also demonstrated moderate antimalarial activity with IC50 18.8µg/ml and 24.5µg/ml. The phytochemical screening of medicinal plants showed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoid, phenol and cardiac glycosides in the extracts, which may be responsible for the antiplasmodial activity. This result justifies the traditional use of the plant in malaria treatment and further research is suggested to identify and characterize the active principles from the plants.