Planta Med 2011; 77 - PM17
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282775

In vivo evaluation of an herbal remedy for antimalarial activity

AO Adepiti 1, AA Elujoba 1, SA Adesanya 1, JM Agbedahunsi 2, OE Iwalewa 3
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • 2Drug Research and Production Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • 3Department of Pharmacology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The antimalarial activity of an herbal remedy (HR) formulated, based on ethnomedical claims followed by observational experiences, was investigated in Plasmodium berghei NK 65- infected mice. The decoction of the HR was prepared, concentrated in vacuo and freeze-dried. Evaluation of the antimalarial activity involved the use of early malarial (4 -day test) and established infection models [1, 2]. The HR was tested at 15–240mg/kg while the positive control, amodiaquine (AQ) was tested at 1.25–10mg/kg. For the established infection test, the HR was tested at 60–240mg/kg with AQ (10mg/kg) as positive control. Distilled water was used as negative control in both test. The HR and AQ gave ED50 of 40 and 3.8mg/kg respectively, while for the established infection test, the highest dose of 240mg/kg gave 54.45% clearance on day 5. The HR showed higher suppressive than curative activity.

Keywords: Herbal remedy, Plasmodium berghei, Amodiaquine

Acknowledgement: Prof. G. A. Ademowo, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria for access to the Plasmodium berghei NK 65 parasite

References: 1. Peters W (1965) Exp Parasitol 17: 80–87

2. Ryley J, Peters W (1970) Am J Trop Med Parasitol 84: 209–211