European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aim: To analyse the phytochemical components using GC­MS technique and evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of crude extract and partitioned fractions of Vernonia colorata leaf.

Study Design: Qualitative, gravimetric and Chromatographic methods of analysis were adopted for phytochemical analysis, while experimental design (In vivo) was used for antiplasmodial study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of chemistry and Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Minna Niger State, Nigeria, between April 2014 to April 2015.

Methodology: The crude extract and partitioned fractions were evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity in vivo against Plasmodium bergei at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kgbw using standard methods. The combined fractions obtained after column chromatography were analysed using GC­MS analysis. The antiplasmodial activity of V. colorata in mice infected with P. berghei showed effects of graded doses of the extract with dose dependent inhibition of parasitaemia with maximum effect at 600 mg/kg. The oral median lethal dose (LD₅₀) in mice was also evaluated and estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. GC­MS analysis was carried out on combined fractions (VC₂₀) of                   V. colorata leaf.

Results: The analysis showed major chemical constituents such as 9­octadecenoic acid (12.86%), 3, 11­tetradecadien­1­ol (19.90%), 13­docosenoic acid (13.86%) and 4­methyl­1­decene (24.07%). The antiplasmodial evaluation carried out in this research shows a considerable antiplasmodial activity of V. colorata.