Traditional Treatment Of Malaria Research Articles

Anti-malarial and Therapeutic Potential of Ethanolic Leaf and Root Extracts of Alstonia boonei Against Plasmodium berghei Infection in Mice

Introduction: The main objective of this research was to investigate the antimalarial therapeutic potential of the ethanolic extract of the leaves and roots of Alstonia boonei, a West African medicinal plant that is used for the traditional treatment of malaria, fever, and other parasitic diseases. There is a need to scientifically evaluate various plants utilized in the ancient treatment of diseases as they might be potential sources of new modern drugs; thus, the importance of this study is obvious. Methods: The extracts were subjected to in vivo antimalarial tests in mice in order to determine their efficacy against malaria infection. These materials exhibited dose–dependent antimalarial activity (P<0.05), as indicated by suppressive and curative effects on mice infected with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weights of the Plasmodium berghei malaria parasite. Results: The suppressive test of the extracts revealed a significant dose–dependent early infection suppression at P<0.05. Conclusion: Based on the results, the plant should be further examined to analyze its bioactive compounds and position it as a potential source of new and novel molecules for antimalarial drug development.

Rubia cordifolia L. Crude Aerial Part Extracts Show a High Potential as Antimalarials against Chloroquine Resistant Plasmodium falciparum Strains in vitro

Pharmacognosy Research,2023,15,2,288-296.DOI:10.5530/pres.15.2.031Published:February 2023Type:Original Article Authors:Magara Jeremiah, Lucy Kamau, Grace Nyambati, and Hastings Ozwara Author(s) affiliations:Magara Jeremiah1, Lucy Kamau1, 2,*, Grace Nyambati3, Hastings Ozwara4 1Department of Zoological Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, KENYA. 2Department of Animal Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, KENYA. 3Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, The Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, KENYA. 4Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, KENYA. Abstract:Introduction: Plasmodium falciparum human malaria parasite is resistant to most available medicines in Africa, necessitating research for new drugs. Rubia cordifolia L. is used in traditional malaria treatment in Kenya despite no supporting scientific data. Objectives: To evaluate anti-plasmodial efficacy of extracts from the aerial part of Rubia cordifolia against chloroquine sensitive (3D7) and resistant (W2) Plasmodium falciparum strains. Methods: Hexane, methanol and water were separately used in crude extractions from open shade dried aerial plant parts. Phytochemical composition was determined qualitatively. Anti-plasmodial efficacy of serial dilutions (range; 0.4 to 50 μg/ml) of each extract were evaluated in vitro and compared using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test, at p<0.05). Results: All the extracts significantly inhibited parasites growth, in a dose dependent manner. At 50 μg/ml, inhibition was (84.07%, 77.94% and 66.08%) for hexane, methanol and water extracts respectively against W2 and (80.06%, 78.36% and 60.92%) against 3D7 strain. Hexane extract showed IC50 0.551 μg/ml and 2.747 micrograms/ml against W2 and 3D7 respectively. Methanol extract, IC50 1.231 and 3.528 μ g/ml respectively, aqueous extract showed moderate activity, IC50 5.348 μg/ml and 17.341 μg/ml against the strains respectively. Chloroquine resistant (W2 strain) was more responsive to the extracts than 3D7 strain. Conclusion: Anti-plasmodial activities were in the order, Hexane>methanol>aqueous and were attributed to the phytochemicals present in the extracts. This presents evidence of R. cordifolia as anti-malarial drugs’ source. Further work is required to identify, purify, and characterize active molecules for development of anti-malaria drugs. Keywords:Antimalarial activity, Crude extracts, in vitro, Plasmodium falciparum, Rubia cordifolia.View:PDF (236.96 KB)

Ethnobotanical Study of Plants Used by Traditherapists for the Treatment of Malaria in the City of Butembo, North Kivu, East of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Malaria is a serious public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in general and in the city of Butembo in particular. To complete the lack of information, the objective of this article is to identify the different plant species used in the traditional treatment of malaria in the city of Butembo. Ethnobotanical investigations were conducted among 91 traditherapists. Semi-structured interviews with the use of a pre-established questionnaire were used for data collection. This study allowed the inventory of 26 plant species belonging to 18 botanical families. The species of the Asteraceae family are the most solicited by the therapists of the city of Butembo (25.27%). This family is followed by the Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae families, each with a total of 12.09%. Then come the Caricaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae with respectively 9.89%, 9.89%, and 8.79% of citations. Leaves are the most used organ (70.33%) in the preparation of drugs. The pharmaceutical form of preparation is decoction (81.32%). The antimalarial recipes are administered by oral (100%). The species most solicited by the therapists are Artemisia annua (12.09%), Eucalyptus maideni var globulus (10.99%), Cinchona ledgeriana (10.99%), Cymbopogon citratus (9.89%), Carica papaya (9.89%), Cassia occidentalis (7.69%), and Bidens pilosa (8.79%). In consideration of these results, phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of these plants is essential to help validate their traditional use and to find new plants with antimalarial potential that would play the first role in the development of improved traditional medicines (ITM) with antimalarial activity.

A Review: Pharmacological Activities of Quinoline Alkaloid of Cinchona sp.

Cinchona is a plant used in traditional malaria treatment. This review aims to examine pharmacological activities to increase the benefits and uses of the bioactive compounds found in the bark of the Cinchona trees as medicine and cosmetics. A literature search was conducted through the internet database https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/; https://scholar.google.com/; https://www.sciencedirect.com/; https://www.wiley.com/en-us from 1998-2022. The main phytochemical content of Cinchona bark is quinoline alkaloids (quinine, cinchonidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine), with total alkaloid concentrations varying between 6 and 15% (Cinchona succirubra ranging from 5-7%, Cinchona calisaya 4-7% and Cinchona ledgeriana 5-14%). Cinchona quinoline alkaloids have the same active site on the nitrogen atom in the quinuclidine ring and the methylene alcohol functional group, which plays an essential role in their pharmacological activity. Besides being used as an antimalarial, Cinchona alkaloids are currently being developed as their anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antifungal, muscle cramps, hair growth stimulant, antimicrobial, antiobesity, antiplatelet, antiviral, anesthetic, and antipyretic properties. Conclusion: Quinoline alkaloids of Cinchona sp have various pharmacological activities that have the potency to be developed as drugs and cosmetics.

A Study of the Antimalarial Activity of Combined Plant Extracts Traditionally Used in Kenya

Introduction: Due to resistance and cost of current antimalarial drugs in use, there is need to continue searching for effective and affordable treatment for this disease. Traditional medicinal plants have been focused on as source of such drugs.&#x0D; Methodology: For this study, combined crude extracts from six plants used in Kenya were tested in vitro against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain using the [3H] hypoxanthine uptake assay and in vivo using Plasmodium berghei on mice. Cytotoxicity tests were done using the MTT based colorimetric assay on Vero 199 and selectivity index used to assess safety of the extracts with the best activity.&#x0D; Results: In vitro results with combinations involving Zanthoxylum chalybeum with four of the extracts indicated activity below IC50 10µg/ml. A combination of S. pinnata and Toddalia asiatica extracts exhibited the best activity in vivo having a parasite growth suppression of 81.3% at a dose of 500mg/kg. S. pinnata and T.asiatica combination had CC50 values of 102.93±5.96µg/ml and &gt;1000µg/ml with selectivity indices of 9.52 and 15.24 respectively, indicating good therapeutic potential due to their safety margins.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results obtained from both in vitro and in vivo tests support the use of the plants selected in traditional treatment of malaria. A combination of methanol fruit extract of T. asiatica and methanol whole plant extract of S. pinnata showed promising parasite growth suppression against P. berghei that was comparable with Artemether and was synergistic on in vitro testing against chloroquine- resistant W2 strain of P. falciparum.

In vitro antiplasmodial, cytotoxic and antioxidant effects, and phytochemical constituents of eleven plants used in the traditional treatment of malaria in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Purpose: To evaluate the antiplasmodial effects of eleven plants (Bombax buonopozense, Carica papaya, Anthocleista djalonensis, Milicia excelsa, Heterotis rotundifolia, Homalim letestui, Starchystarpheta cayennnensis, Ocimum gratissimum, Cleistopholis patens, Chromolaena odorata and Hippocratea africana) reportedly used in the treatment of malaria in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.&#x0D; Methods: Phytochemical analysis was done by standard methods, while in vitro antiplasmodial evaluation was carried out using Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquineresistant strains using lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. Cytotoxicity test was undertaken by MTT assay on LLC-MK2 cells and the concentration killing 50 % of the cells (CC50) was calculated.Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.&#x0D; Results: Milicia excelsa, Heterotis rotundifolia and Chromolaena odorata had moderate antiplasmodial activity. Ocimum gratissimum and Hippocratea africana were weakly active. Milicia excelsa showed a considerable level of cytotoxicity, while Bombax buonopozense exhibited moderate cytotoxicity. Bombax buonopozense (95.3 %) and Ocimum gratissimum (92.0 %) exhibited high DPPH scavengingeffect comparable to Vitamin C (98.7 %). There was a significant correlation (p &lt; 0.05) between DPPH inhibition and the total phenolic contents of the eleven plants studied (r2 = 0.6616), between DPPH inhibition and flavonoids (r2 = 0.3553), between antiplasmodial activity and saponin content (r2= 0.3992), and between the two antiplasmodial evaluation assay methods (r2 = 0.614).Conclusion: The results of this work provide some justification for the use of Milicia excelsa, Heterotis rotundifolia, Chromolaena odorata, Ocimum gratissimum and Hippocratea africana in the treatment of malaria.&#x0D; Keywords: Antiplasmodial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxicity, Phytochemicals, Antimalaria

Antiplasmodial activity against resistant strains, toxicity and effect on mouse liver enzymes of extracts of Terminalia species found in Southwest Cameroon

Introduction: Terminalia species have the potential to be exploited in phytomedicine based on their several pharmacological properties including antiplasmodial activity. However, there is need for more data on their antiplasmodial activity and toxicity. This study evaluated the antiplasmodial activities of Terminalia catappa and Terminalia superba found in the coastal area of Cameroon on resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum not previously tested, and their toxicity. Methods: Three leaf extracts of each plant prepared separately using three organic solvents were screened in vitro on 3 strains of P. falciparum: chloroquine-sensitive 3D7, chloroquine-resistant Dd2 and multi-drug resistant W2mef using the parasite growth inhibition assay. Antiplasmodial activity was assessed using fluorescence microscopy and the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay. Cytotoxicity of active extracts was assessed on LLC-MK2 monkey kidney epithelial cells and acute toxicity including effect on some liver enzymes in BALB/c mice. Results: The methanol extracts of both plants showed the highest antiplasmodial activity (IC50 between 5.03-9.76 μg/mL) on the three parasite strains. The methanol extracts showed high selectivity for parasites with selectivity index values ranging from 40 to 80 indicating very low risk of toxicity. There was no mortality or adverse effect and no significant effect on the liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.506) and aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.243). Conclusion: The antiplasmodial activity, high selectivity and no adverse effects for T. catappa and T. superba demonstrate the potential for use of these plants in traditional treatment of malaria, further development into a phytomedicine against malaria and as source of new antimalarial lead.

Antimalarial Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extract and Fraction of Bidens pilosa against Plasmodium berghei (ANKA).

Background Malaria is one of the most critical diseases causing about 219 million cases worldwide in developing countries. The spread and development of resistance against chemical antimalarial drugs is one of the major problems associated with malaria control. The present study was to investigate the antimalarial efficacy of ethyl acetate extract and one fraction of Bidens pilosa in vivo in order to support the usage of this plant by traditional healers to treat malaria. Methods The extracts were prepared by maceration of B. pilosa leaf powder in ethyl acetate. The liquid filtrate of the extract and the best in vitro antiplasmodial fraction using HPLC were concentrated and evaporated using a rotavapor under vacuum to dryness. The antimalarial activity of B. pilosa plant products were evaluated in vivo against Plasmodium berghei infected mice according to the Peter and Rane test. The antimalarial efficacy of the a selected crude extract (ethyl acetate extract) was evaluated at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, while a selected fraction from ethyl acetate extract (fraction 12) was evaluated at 62.5 and 125 mg/kg. Blood from experimental animals was collected to assess hematological parameters. Results The crude extract of ethyl acetate and fraction 12 demonstrated 100% in vivo parasite suppressive activity at doses of 500 mg/kg and 125 mg/kg, respectively, for the crude extract and fraction 12. The mice treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg had their parasitemia (intraerythrocytic phase of P. Berghei) drop considerably, disappearing by the 8th day in mice receiving 500 mg/kg. The ethyl acetate extract of B. pilosa, fraction 12 showed an even higher antiplasmodial activity. By the 5th day of the experiment, the treatment led to a modification of hematological parameters in mice. The chloroquine (5 mg/kg), fraction 12 (125 mg/kg), and the crude extract (500 mg/kg) groups all survived the 30 days of the experiment, while the negative control group registered 100% of the deaths. Conclusion This study scientifically supports the use of Bidens pilosa leaves in the traditional treatment of malaria. However, the mode of action and in vivo toxicity of the plant still need to be assessed.

Flavonoids from stem bark of akway (Drymis beccariana Gibs) and theirs antimalarial properties

Akway (Drimys beccariana, Gibbs) is a plant endemic to Papua highlands contained in Manokwari. D. beccariana is used for traditional malaria treatment in West Papua. The methanol extract of stem bark of D. beccariana showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum parasites, in vitro. Methanol extract of D. beccariana is partitioned between water and n-hexane (1:9), and ethyl acetate. Furthermore, ethyl acetate extract was separated through several combination of chromatography techniques on silica gel, resulting in three known compounds (1-3). The chemical structures of compounds (1-3) were identified based on IR, UV/Vis, 1H NMR and 13C NMR, and MS data as 5,3’-dihydroxy-7,4’-dimethoxyflavone (1), 5,7-dihydroxy-4’-methoxyflavone (2), and 5-hydroxy-7,3’,4’-trimethoxyflavone (3). Compounds 1-3 showed strong antiplasmodium against 3D7 strain of P. falciparum with IC50 values of 0.002, 0.005, and 0.001 micro Molar, respectively. This result indicates that stem bark of D. beccariana is a promising source of antimalarial agents, and merits further investigation.

Forest Fevers: traditional treatment of malaria in the southern lowlands of Laos.

Malaria is still a highly challenging public health issue in southern Lao PDR, with increasing cases of artemisinin resistance and Plasmodium vivax infections which are more complicated to treat. Traditional medicine has a long history of use in Laos, and is primarily practised by traditional village healers, who possess unique bodies of transmitted knowledge focused on herbal prescriptions, including those for the treatment of malaria. Villagers also use plants for healthcare in the home. The aim of the study is to document local fever concepts and use of herbal remedies, and examine whether they may have potential as complementary treatments against malaria. The study took place in Champasak province in the far south of Laos, in primarily lowland areas. First, 35 traditional healers across the 10 districts of the province were interviewed to elicit details about knowledge and treatment of fevers. Second, a household survey was conducted in a village in a malaria-endemic area; 97 households were interviewed on fever incidence, differentiation, treatment-seeking behaviour and knowledge of plant-based remedies for fevers. Plants indicated by both healers and villagers were collected and voucher specimens deposited in the herbarium of the National University of Laos for identification. Malaria is a well-known pathology among the healers and villagers of lowland Champasak province; biomedical treatments are preferentially used, but traditional medicine is a popular complementary method, especially in chronic cases with additional symptoms. 30 different fever types were recorded, which were usually named symptomatically, and grouped into 12 categories. Some were described as forms of malaria, which was conceived as a dynamic, changing pathology affecting many body systems. Healers formulate treatments based on symptoms and the person's constitution, and with the intention of creating specific pharmacological actions associated with temperature or flavours. 11 of the healers gave prescriptions for malaria (27 in total), including 47 identified plant species. The most-used plants (4 or more use-reports) were also the most cited in the literature for use against malaria, demonstrating a correspondence between Lao healers and other traditional medical systems. Furthermore, some of these species show promising results for future research, especially Amorphophallus paeniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson and Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don. Traditional healers are important actors in the treatment of malaria in southern Laos, and herbal remedies should be evaluated further by the use of reverse treatment outcome trials, especially those which may be of use as complementary remedies in treating P. vivax. Initiatives on knowledge transmission, medicinal plant conservation and healthcare integration are also urgently needed.

Ethnopharmacological and pharmaco-toxicological data of Sarcocephalus latifolius and Crateva adansonii DC, two plants used in traditional malaria treatment in Benin

Ethnopharmacological and pharmaco-toxicological data of Sarcocephalus latifolius and Crateva adansonii DC, two plants used in traditional malaria treatment in Benin

Anti-Plasmodium falciparum Activity of Extracts from 10 Cameroonian Medicinal Plants.

Background: In the midst of transient victories by way of insecticides against mosquitoes or drugs against malaria, the most serious form of malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, continues to be a major public health problem. The emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites facilitated by fake medications or the use of single drugs has worsened the situation, thereby emphasizing the need for a continued search for potent, safe, and affordable new antimalarial treatments. In line with this need, we have investigated the antiplasmodial activity of 66 different extracts prepared from 10 different medicinal plants that are native to Cameroon. Methods: Extracts were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit the growth of the chloroquine-sensitive (Pf3D7) and resistant (PfINDO) strains of P. falciparum using the SYBR green fluorescence method. The cytotoxicity of promising extracts against human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) mammalian cells was assessed by MTT assay. Results: The antiplasmodial activity (50% inhibitory concentration, IC50) of plant extracts ranged from 1.90 to >100 μg/mL against the two strains. Six extracts exhibited good activity against both Pf3D7 and PfINDO strains, including cold water, water decoction, and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves of Drypetes principum (Müll.Arg.) Hutch. (IC503D7/INDO = 4.91/6.64 μg/mL, 5.49/5.98 μg/mL, and 6.49/7.10 μg/mL respectively), water decoction extract of leaves of Terminalia catappa L. (IC503D7/INDO = 6.41/8.10 μg/mL), and water decoction extracts of leaves and bark of Terminalia mantaly H.Perrier (IC503D7/INDO = 2.49/1.90 μg/mL and 3.70/2.80 μg/mL respectively). These promising extracts showed no cytotoxicity against HEK293T up to 200 μg/mL, giving selectivity indices (SIs) in the range of >31.20–80.32. Conclusions: While providing credence to the use of D. principum, T. catappa, and T. mantaly in the traditional treatment of malaria, the results achieved set the stage for isolation and identification of active principles and ancillary molecules that may provide us with new drugs or drug combinations to fight against drug-resistant malaria.

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Malaria in Malaka, West Timor

Objective: This study aims to document ethnomedicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of malaria in some areas of Malaka District in West Timor, Indonesia. Methods: Semi-structured questionnaire interviews and focused group discussion were used to gather ethnomedicine data from traditional healers and people who know about traditional medicines. The study involved 38 informants, 30 women and 8 men, aged between 32-90 years, from 10 villages in 4 sub-districts. Results: A total of 44 plants species belonging to 25 families used for the treatment of malaria in some area of Malaka. Calotropis gigantea, Cleome rutidosperma, and Physalis angulata were the most cited for oral administration. Jatropha curcas, Garuga floribunda, and Calotropis gigantea were the most used by massage method. For the bathing method of treatment, Tamarindus indica was the most cited. Conclusion: Indigenous people of Malaka in West Timor have a culture of ethnomedicine for malaria treatments that is mainly based on local plants, and is transmitted from one generation to the next by oral instructions. Key words: Ethnomedicine, Medicinal plants, Antimalarial, West Timor.

Ethnobotanical survey of antimalarial plants in Awash-Fentale District of Afar Region of Ethiopia and in vivo evaluation of selected ones against Plasmodium berghei

Objective: To document plants used in traditional treatment of malaria in the Awash-Fentale District, the Afar Region of Ethiopia, and to evaluate antimalarial activity of selected ones against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with purposively selected informants in the District to gather information on plants used in the traditional treatment of malaria. Standard procedures were used to investigate acute toxicity and a four-day suppressive effect of crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of the two most frequently cited plants [Aloe trichosantha (A. trichosantha) and Cadaba rotundifolia (C. rotundifolia)] against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice. Results: The informants cited a total of 17 plants used in the traditional treatment of malaria in Awash-Fentale District. Plant parts were prepared as infusions or decoctions. Leaf was the most commonly cited (44%) plant part, followed by stem (22%). Shrubs were the most frequently cited (63%) medicine source followed by trees (21%). Of the 17 plants, C. rotundifolia and A. trichosantha were the most frequently mentioned plants in the district. Ethanol extracts of the leaves of C. rotundifolia and A. trichosantha suppressed P. berghei parasitaemia significantly accounting for 53.73% and 49.07%, respectively at 900 mg/kg. The plants were found to be non-toxic up to a dose of 1 500 mg/kg. Conclusions: Seventeen plant species were reported to be used for treatment of malaria in the Awash Fentale Distinct, among which A. trichosantha and C. rotundifolia were the most preferred ones. P. berghei suppressive activity of these plants may partly explain their common use in the community.

Treatment of malaria and related symptoms using traditional herbal medicine in Ethiopia

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMedicinal plants have always been an integral part of different cultures in Ethiopia in the treatment of different illnesses including malaria and related symptoms. However, due to lack of proper documentation, urbanization, drought, acculturation and deforestation, there is an increased risk of losing this traditional knowledge. Hence, the use of the indigenous knowledge should be well documented and validated for potential future use. Aim of the studyTo gather and document information on medicinal plants which are used in the traditional treatment of malaria and related symptoms in Ethiopia. Materials and methodsFirst, an ethnomedicinal survey of plants was conducted in 17 districts of Jimma zone, the Oromia national regional state of Ethiopia. Jimma zone is malarious and rich in natural flora. A total of 115 traditional healers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire containing personal data of the respondents, and information on medicinal plants used to treat malaria and related symptoms. In addition, a literature search using Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and HINARI was conducted on the indigenous use, in-vitro/in-vivo anti-malarial activity reports, and the chemical characterization of medicinal plants of Ethiopia used against malaria. ResultsFrom ethnomedicinal survey, a total of 28 species of plants used in the traditional treatment of malaria and related symptoms in Jimma Zone were collected, identified and documented. In addition, the literature search revealed that 124 medicinal plant species were reported to be traditionally used in the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. From both ethnomedicinal survey and the literature search, Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the most represented families and Allium sativum L., Carica papaya L., Vernonia amygdalina Del., Lepidium sativum L. and Croton macrostachyus Del. were the most frequently reported plant species for their anti-malarial use. The dominant plant parts used in the preparation of remedies were leaves. About 54% of the medicinal plants documented in the survey have been reported as an anti-malarial plant in the literature search. Furthermore, the in-vitro and in-vivo anti-plasmodial activity reports of extracts from some of plant species were found to support the traditional claim of the documented plants. Moreover, literatures indicate that several secondary metabolites isolated from certain plant species that are traditionally used for the treatment of malaria and related symptoms in Ethiopia demonstrate strong anti-plasmodial activity. ConclusionsThe result of the current study showed that traditional knowledge is still playing an important role in the management of malaria and related symptoms in Ethiopia. Allium sativum L., Carica papaya L., Vernonia amygdalina Del., and Lepidium sativum L. are the most commonly reported species as anti-malarial plants and the traditional claim of some species was supported by known anti-plasmodial activity and bioactivity reports. The finding of this study is important in the rational prioritization of plant species which are potentially used for investigating new compounds, which could be efficacious for malaria treatment.

Antiprotozoal properties of Indonesian medicinal plant extracts

Tithonia diversifolia, Cyclea barbata, Tinospora crispa, Arcangelisia flava, Pycnarrhena cauliflora are plants used in Indonesia for the traditional treatment of malaria. In the search for new antiparasitic drugs, the parts traditionally used of these 5 plants were extracted with ethanol and then fractionated with various solvents and evaluated in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum and also against Babesia divergens and Leishmania infantum. Seven crude plant extracts out of 25 tested displayed high antimalarial activities with IC50 < 5 μg/ml and in the cases of some of them an interesting selectivity regarding their cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. A. flava appeared to be the most promising antiplasmodial plant with the highest antiplasmodial activity (IC50 values less than 3 μg/ml) and the weakest cytotoxicity. By contrast, only P. cauliflora radix, through its dichloromethane and methanol fractions also demonstrated a high activity against L. infantum, with IC50 values around 3 μg/ml; their high selectivity index, especially on VERO cells, hypothesises a specific parasiticidal action. Moreover, for all the extracts showing antiplasmodial activity, a positive correlation was demonstrated with antibabesial activity, suggesting that these antiplasmodial extracts could be a potential source of antibabesial compounds. These preliminary results confirm the antiplasmodial interest of some of these plants used in traditional medicine but also their effects on leishmaniasis and babesiosis. Ongoing phytochemical investigations should allow identification of the chemical series responsible for these activities.

&lt;i&gt;In vitro&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; antiplasmodial activity of extracts from &lt;i&gt;Polyalthia suaveolens, Uvaria angolensis and Monodora tenuifolia&lt;/i&gt; (Annonaceae)

The present study aimed at investigating the in vitro and in vivo susceptibility of malaria parasites to crude extracts and fractions from Polyalthia suaveolens, Uvaria angolensis, and Monodora tenuifolia. The ethanolic extracts were partitioned using water, dichloromethane, hexane, and methanol. The most promising fraction was subjected to column chromatography. The antiplasmodial effect of extracts, fractions and subfractions against P . falciparum Chloroquine resistant (PfK1) strain was determined using SYBR green florescence assay. The promising fraction was assessed for cytotoxicity against Human Foreskin Fibroblast (HFF) cells and further for safety in Swiss albino mice and suppressive effect against P. berghei. The methanol sub-fraction of P. suaveolens [PStw(Ace)] showed the highest potency with IC50 of 3.24 μg/mL. Sub-fraction PS8 from PStw(Ace) was the most active with IC50 of 4.42 μg/mL. Oral administration of PStw(Ace) at 5000 mg/kg b.w in mice showed no signs of toxicity. Also, it exerted the highest suppressive effect against P. berghei at 400 mg/kg b.w throughout the 4 days experiment. Overall, the results achieved supported the use of the three plants in the traditional treatment of malaria in Cameroon. More interestingly, the PStw(Ace) fraction might be of interest in future development of an antimalarial phytodrug. Keywords : Polyalthia suaveolens, Uvaria angolensis, Monodora tenuifolia, Plasmodium falciparum K1, Toxicity, Antimalarial.

Chemosuppressive activities in in vivo studies of Plasmodium falciparum-infected mice using isolated oil of Stigmaphyllon ovatum (Amazon vine) Cav.

Abstract Problem: In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria remains one of the leading health problems. This situation has been aggravated by the increasing spread of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. The study was conducted to determine the chemosuppressive activities in in vivo studies of Plasmodium falciparum-infected mice with isolated oil of Stigmaphyllon ovatum leaves used in the traditional treatment of malaria in Nigeria. Methodology: The plant leaves were collected, dried, pulverized and extracted in Soxhlet extractor with hexane solvent. The crude extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and phytochemical screening performed using standard methods. Isolation of oil from hexane extract was done using vacuum liquid chromatography while characterization was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Chemosuppressive activities were conducted along with quinine to determine the antimalarial potency in Plasmodium falciparum- infected BALB/c albino mice. Findings: Glycosides, saponins, phenolics, and alkaloids among others were present. Components detected from the isolated yellow oil of S. ovatum were 9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid) (Rt:20.0, 19.37%), an unsaturated fatty acid, squalene (Rt:25.6, 4.58%), a terpene; 7-tetradecenal (Rt:22.6, 2.40%), an aldehyde and alicyclic compounds like bicycle (3,10) hexan-3-one (Rt:16.7, 0.22%). Quinine-treated mice exhibited the lowest parasite counts of 0.27±0.01 (83.82% mean chemosuppression) at day 4 of therapy while the lowest parasite counts for the isolated oil was 0.95±0.05 (42.92% mean chemosuppression) at day 4 of therapy. Conclusion: The chemosuppressive activities revealed that the isolated oil exhibit significant suppression (P&lt;0.05) of Plasmodium falciparum when compared with the standard, quinine which was evident by the photomicrograph results. This work corroborates the local use of the plants for the treatment of malaria in Southern Nigeria.

A Framework for Knowledge Capture in African Traditional Treatment of Malaria

This study developed, implemented and evaluated a framework for the means of knowledge capture in African traditional medicine (ATM) practice. This was with a view to enhancing the preservation of knowledge and hence the continual exploitation of African traditional healing techniques in malaria therapy. The methodology adopted involved knowledge elicitation by means of an interview scheme administered on a number of African traditional medicine practitioners (ATMPs) in Ile-Ife and its environs. The data taken from the practitioners were analyzed using the general architecture for text engineering (GATE) software. The resulting information was structured and the knowledge based system (KBS) was implemented using Javascript and PHP programming language. Sample cases of malaria were posted to the KBS for diagnosis and treatment of malaria disease. Also, fifteen ATMPs were required to provide diagnosis and therapies for the same cases of malaria in groups of five. The output from the KBS and ATMPs were then tested for agreement using Fleiss’ Kappa qualitative analysis. The diagnosis and therapy agreement between the groups of ATMPs and the KBS gave an average kappa-measure of 0.854 which indicates an almost perfect agreement between the KBS and the ATMPs. Therefore, the framework can be said to be complete for knowledge capture of malaria. In conclusion, knowledge in ATM practice could be structured, formalized and implemented as found in this work. This could be useful for capturing, storing and preserving knowledge in the domain of African traditional medicine practice.Keywords: African Traditional Medicine, General Architecture For Text Engineering, Knowledge Based System

Effect of crude leaf extract of Osyris quadripartita on Plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice.

BackgroundContinuous emergence of multi-drug-resistant malaria parasites and their rapid spread across the globe warrant urgent search for new anti-malarial chemotherapeutics. Traditional medicinal plants have been the main sources for screening active phytochemicals against malaria. Accordingly, this study was aimed at evaluating the anti-malarial activity of Osyris quadripartita Salzm. Ex Decne., a plant which is used for traditional malaria treatment by local people in different parts of Ethiopia.MethodsAqueous, chloroform and methanol crude leaf extracts of the plant have been prepared and tested for acute toxicity and anti-malarial efficacy in Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain)-infected Swiss albino mice.ResultsAt three oral doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg the plant material was safe, chemosuppressive and thus prevented body weight loss, hematological abnormalities and increased mice mean survival time compared to the negative control. The most efficacious extract was that of chloroform which prolonged mean mouse survival past day 11 of infection with all the mice in this group having the highest parasitemia suppression rate (41.3 %, at 600 mg/kg) although parasite clearance was not achieved compared to the standard drug (chloroquine) against the parasite.ConclusionThe finding supports the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of malaria. However, further confirmatory studies followed by isolation and characterization of the active anti-malarial compound (s) of the plant that is/are responsible for the observed parasite suppression is needed before it is recommended for malaria drug search and discovery.