In vivo antiplasmodial activity of extracts of selected Ghanaian medicinal plants

Abstract

Background: Malaria is endemic and perennial in all parts of Ghana. Ghana recorded 4,940,270 suspected malaria cases in the first half of the year 2016. This translates into 26,922 as an average daily recorded case of malaria in the country’s health facilities during the period.

Methods: This study investigated the antiplasmodial activities of aqueous extracts of the stem barks of Afraegle paniculata, Monanthotaxis trichocarpa, Sterculia setigera and Strychnos innocua as well as both aqueous and organic extracts of Ananas comosus using pathogen free imprinted control region mice of either sex. The extracts were investigated to establish suppressive and curative antimalarial properties. The curative property was determined by employing two different doses (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight) while suppressive test was done using the later dose in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Results: Extracts exhibited significant (P<0.05) reductions in parasitaemia in suppressive test, Ananas comosus demonstrated highest activity with percentage suppression of 66.9±1.13 % for a 4-day suppressive test. For curative test, ethyl acetate fraction of Ananas comosus and Afraegle paniculata were deemed active by showing significant (P<0.05) reductions in parasitaemia which were greater than 40%.  

Conclusions: Regarding this study, the parts of the plants used are being reported for the first time of exhibiting antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium berghei. It is therefore possible that, future isolation of lead compounds from Ananas comosus and Afraegle paniculata may lead to the development of new antimalarial agents.