Antimalarial potency of the leaf extract of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. Adams.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antimalarial activity of ethanol extract of Aspilia africana (A. africana) leaf.


METHODS
The ethanol extract of A. africana leaf (100-400 mg/kg) was screened for blood schizonticidal effect against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) in mice both in early and established models of antimalarial studies.


RESULTS
The leaf extract exhibited significant (P<0.05) antiplasmodial activity in 4-day early infection and in established infection tests with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of standard drug, chloroquine (10 mg/kg).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings show that ethanol extract of A. africana leaf possesses potent antiplasmodial activity which justify the use in ethnomedicine and can be developed in malaria therapy.
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria. goddyakuodor@yahoo.com
Akuodor Godwin
AG
Christian
Amos Grace
AG
Mfon
Essien Augustine
EA
Dick
Essien
E
David-Oku
Akpan Joseph
AJ
Linus
Ezeokpo Basil
EB
Chukwuma
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects*; D012997:Solvents
D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol