[01] Modupe Iretiola Builders, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa, Nigeria.

Malaria has remained a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the under developed and developing countries of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. In spite of the substantial progress made in the treatment of parasitic diseases, malaria remains a significant therapeutic challenge especially because of the wide spread resistance of malaria parasites to currently available anti-malarial agents, the resistance of the mosquito vectors to currently available insecticides, the limited success in the development of malarial vaccines and the debilitating adverse reactions of conventional anti-malarial drugs. The wide spread resistance of malaria parasites to conventional anti-malarials have stimulated the search for new drug entities with new modes of action. The efficacy of Agelanthus dodoneifolius (A.D), Parkiabiglobosa (P.B) and Vernonia ambigua (V.A) for the treatment of malaria have been widely acclaimed by the Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba communities of the Northern, Eastern and Western Nigeria respectively. The aim of this study is to authenticate this claim as a step in the search for a new anti-malarial. The oral median lethal dose (LD₅₀), phytochemical components and antioxidant activity of the three aqueous extracts were determined. The extracts were also evaluated for in vivo and in vitro antiplasmodial activities against Plasmodium berghei and clinical isolates of Plasmodium falciparum respectively. A. dodoneifolius showed maximum inhibition (78.7±1.6, 80.1±1.0 and 69.8±1.2%) of parasitaemia and moderate anti-plasmodial activity in vitro (21.54µg/ml > IC50 > 50µg/ml) among three plant extracts. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, phenols, terpenes and anthraquinones. It also showed a strong free radical scavenging activity on 2,2diphenyl2picrylhydrazyl. The aqueous extract of A. dodoneifolius contains biologically active principles that are relevant in the treatment of malaria, thus supporting further studies of these components.

Potent, Antimalarial Agent, Assessment, Folkloric Claims

[01] Builders, M. I. (2017). African Traditional Antimalarials: A Review. The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Journal, Vol 4 (6), pp. 87-98. [02] Builders, M. I. (2015). Plants as antimalarial drugs: A Review. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol 8, pp. 1747-1766. [03] Builders, M. I, Wannang, N. N, Ajoku, G. A, Builders, P. F, Orishadipe, A and Aguiyi, J. C (2011). Evaluation of antimalarial potential of Vernonia ambigua. International Journal of Pharmacology, Vol 1811, pp. 1-10. [04] Ajaiyeoba, E. O. (2002). Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of P. biglobosa and P. bicolor leaf extract. African Journal of Biomedicine Research, Vol 5, pp. 125-129. [05] Builders M. I. (2014). Parkia biglobosa (African Locust Bean Tree). World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol 3, pp. 1672-1682. [06] Builders, M. I, Uguru, M. O and Aguiyi, J. C (2012). Antiplasmodial potential of African mistletoe: Agelanthus dodoneifolius Polh and wiens. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical research, Vol 74, pp. 189-280. [07] Mustofa, A, Valentin, A, Benoit-vical, F, Pellissier, Y, Kone –Bamba, D and Mallie, M. (2000). Antiplasmodial activity of plant extracts used in West African traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Vol 73, pp. 45-151. [08] Mukherjee, P. R. (2002). Quality control of herbal drugs: an approach to evaluation of botanicals. 13^th edn, New Delhi.: Business Edition, pp. 256-459. [09] Ayoola, G. A, Coker, H. A. B, Adesegun, S. A, Adepoju – Bello, A. A, Obaweya. K, Ezennia, E. C. and Atangbayila, T. O. (2008). Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activities of some selected medicinal plants used for malaria therapy in South western Nigeria. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol 7 (3), pp. 1019-1024. [10] Lorke, D. (1983). A new approach for acute practical toxicity testing. Archives of Toxicology, Vol 54, pp. 275-287. [11] Builders M. I, Isichie C. O and Aguiyi J. C. (2012). Toxicity studies of the extracts of Parkiabiglobosa stem bark in rats. British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol 2, pp. 1-16. [12] Builders, M. I, Alemika, T and Aguiyi, J. C (2014). Antimalarial activity and isolation of phenolic compounds from Parkiabiglobosa, IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, Vol 9, pp. 78-85. [13] In vitro micro test (Mark III) for the assessment of the response of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine, mefloquine, quinine, amodiaquine, sulfadoxine / pyrimethamine and artemisinin. CTD/MAL/97, 20. Geneva: WHO; 2001. [14] Asase, A, Alfred, A, Yeboah, O, Odamtten, G. T and Simmonds, M. J. (2005). Ethnobotanical study of some Ghanaian antimalarial plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Vol 99 (2), pp. 273-279. [15] Gronhaug, T. E, Glaesrud, S, Skogsrud, M, Ngolo, B, Bah, S, Diallo, D. and Paulsen B. S. (2008). Ethnopharmacological survey of six medicinal plantsfrom Mali, West Africa. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, Vol 4 (26), pp. 1746-1842. [16] Cordell, G. A, Beecher, C. W and Pezzuto, J. M. (1991). Can ethnopharmacology contribute to the development of new anticancer drugs? Journal of Ethnopharmacology Vol 32, pp. 117-133. [17] Kuria, K. A. M, De coster, S, Muriuki, G, Masengo, W, Kibwage, I andHoogmartens, J. (2001). Anti malarial activity of Ajugaremota Benth. (Labiatae) and Caesalpiniavolkensii (Caesalpiniceae) in vitro confirmation of ethnopharmacological use. Journal of Ethnopharmacology Vol 74, pp. 141-148. [18] Schorderet, M. (1992). Pharmacologie. Des concepts fondamentaux aux application thérapeutiques. Edition Slatkine, Geneve, edition Frison-Roche Paris, pp. 33-34. [19] Sudhanshu, S, Neerja, P, Jain, D. C. and Bhakuni, R. S. (2003). Antimalarial agents from plant sources. Current science, Vol 85, pp. 1314-1327. [20] Francois, G, Passreiter, C. M, Woerdenbag, H. J and Looveren, M. V. (1996). Antimalarial activities and cytotoxic effects of aqueous extracts and sesquiterpene lactones from Neurolaena lobata. Planta Medica, Vol 62, pp. 126–129. [21] Thebtaranonth, C, Thebtaranonth, Y, Wanauppathamkul, Sand Yuthavong, Y. (1995). Antimalarialsesquiterpenes from tubers of Cyperus rotundus: structure of 10, 12-peroxycalamenene, a sesquiterpeneendoperoxide. P hytochemistry, Vol 40, pp. 125–128. [22] Joshin, S. P, Rojatkar, S. R and Nagasampagi, B. A. (1998). Antimalarial activityofneem (Azadirachta indica). Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences, Vol 20, pp. 1000–1002. [23] Bickii, J, Njifutie, N, Ayafor, J. F, Basco, L. K. and Ringwald, P. (2000). In vitroantimalarial activity oflimonoids from Khayagrandifoliola C. D. C. Meliaceae) Journal of Ethnopharmacology Vol 69, pp. 27–33. [24] Alshawsh, S. M, Mothana, R. A, Al-Shamahy, H. A, Alsllami, S. F. and Lindequist, U. (2007). Assessment of antimalarial activity against Plasmodiumfalciparum and phytochemical screening of some Yemenimedicinalplants. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 6 (1093), pp. 453-456.