In vivo Anti-plasmodial Activity of Crude Extracts of Three Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally for Malaria Treatment in Kenya
Ruth Anyango Omole *
Department of Natural Product Development and Formulation, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O.Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Department of Chemical Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, P.O.Box 52428- 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Hamisi Masanja Malebo
Department of Traditional Medicine Research, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O.Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Ramadhani S. O. Nondo
Department of Biological and Preclinical Studies, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences, P.O.Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Shaban Katani
Department of Traditional Medicine Research, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O.Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Husna Mbugi
Department of Traditional Medicine Research, National Institute for Medical Research, P.O.Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Jacob Midiwo
Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O.Box 30197, Chiromo Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Mainen Julius Moshi
Department of Biological and Preclinical Studies, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences, P.O.Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the in vivo anti-plasmodial activity of three plants Rhamnus prinoides, Rubus keniensis and Garcinia buchananii which are used for malaria treatment by indigenous communities in Kenya. This work was done at the Department of Biological and Preclinical studies, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences in October 2016 to August 2017. Male and female albino mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei (ANKA) in the Peter’s four day suppression test. Five groups of mice; Group 1 (solvent: 5 mL/kg body weight of 1% carboxymethyl cellulose), Group 5 (10 mg/kg body weight chloroquine), Groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of plant extracts. The results showed that 5% aqueous methanol extracts of R. prinoides, G. buchananii and R. keniensis exhibited higher anti-plasmodial activity than the 1:1 dichloromethane: methanol extracts in the preliminary testing. The doses showing 50% parasite suppression (EC50) were 139.2, 169.4 and 245.1 mg/kg body weight for R. prinoides, G. buchananii and R. keniensis, respectively. In vivo anti-plasmodial activity of the three plants has supported the traditional use of extracts of Rhamnus prinoides, Rubus keniensis and Garcinia buchananii for treatment of malaria. Isolation of compounds from these plants is in progress.
Keywords: Anti-plasmodial, in vivo activity, Rhamnus prinoides, Garcinia buchananii, Rubus keniensis