In vitro antiplasmodial activity of some plants used in Kisii, Kenya against malaria and their chloroquine potentiation effects.
Fifty-five organic and aqueous extracts of 11 plants used in malaria therapy in Kisii District, Kenya were tested in vitro against chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Of the plants tested, 73% were active (IC(50) < 100 microg/ml). Three plants, Vernonia lasiopus, Rhamnus prinoides and Ficus sur afforded extracts with IC(50) values ranging less than 30 microg/ml against both CQ-sensitive and resistant strains. Combination of some extracts with CQ against the multi-drug resistant P. falciparum isolate V1/S revealed some synergistic effect. The plant extracts with low IC(50) values may be used as sources for novel antimalarial compounds to be used alone or in combination with CQ.
Muregi
F W
FW
Biochemistry Department, Kenyatta University, PO Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya.
Chhabra
S C
SC
Njagi
E N M
EN
Lang'at-Thoruwa
C C
CC
Njue
W M
WM
Orago
A S S
AS
Omar
S A
SA
Ndiege
I O
IO
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007630:Kenya; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*
D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002738:Chloroquine