The in-vivo antimalarial activities ofUvaria chamaeandHippocratea africana

Abstract

The antimalarial activities of ethanolic root extracts of two plants used traditionally as malarial remedies in southern Nigeria, Uvaria chamae (Annonaceae) and Hippocratea africana (Hippocrateaceae), were studied in vivo, in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei. The extract of U. chamae, when given orally at 300-900 mg/kg.day, exhibited significant antimalarial activity against both early and established infections. When established infections were treated, the mean survival time of the mice observed with this extract at 900 mg/kg.day was similar to that seen with the positive control: chloroquine at 5 mg/kg.day. The extract of H. africana, tested at oral doses of 200-600 mg/kg.day, also demonstrated promising blood schizontocidal activity, both in early and established infections. Although the question of their toxicities has still to be fully addressed, it is clear that both U. chamae and H. africana possess considerable antimalarial activity and they, or drugs based on their antimalarial constituents, may prove useful in the treatment of human malaria.

Antioxidative burst and hepatoprotective effects of ethanol root extract ofHippocratea africanaagainst paracetamol-induced liver injury

“…The plant is widely distributed in tropical Africa. The root of the plant is used traditionally by the Ibibios of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in the treatment of various ailments such as fever, malaria, body pains, diabetes and diarrhea (Okokon et al, 2006). An ethnobotanical survey revealed that a decoction of the plant's root is also used as an antidote or antipoison to treat liver and inflammatory diseases such as jaundice and hepatitis (Ajibesin et al, 2008;Etukudo, 2000Etukudo, , 2003.…”

“…An ethnobotanical survey revealed that a decoction of the plant's root is also used as an antidote or antipoison to treat liver and inflammatory diseases such as jaundice and hepatitis (Ajibesin et al, 2008;Etukudo, 2000Etukudo, , 2003. The plant (root) has been reported by Okokon et al (2006) to possess in vivo antiplasmodial activity with a LD 50 of 2.45 g/kg. Other biological responses include antiinflammatory and analgesic (Okokon et al, 2008), antidiarrheal, antiulcer (Okokon et al, 2011), antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities (Okokon et al, 2010).…”

Screening of antiplasmodial efficacy of Ajuga bracteosa Wall ex. Benth

“…Although the extract has not been found to cure malaria properly, however, significant in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity of plant extract indicates the presence of active antiplasmodial principle in it. A similar work by Okokon et al 2006 also revealed the efficacy of Uvaria chamae and Hippocratea africana but at a larger dose of 200-900 mg/kg. The plant extracts of Bidens pilosa and Cochlospermum planchonii have also been found to elicit antiplasmodial activity but with lower parasitemia reduction profile (60%) at day 7 post-treatment (Benoit-Vical et al 2003;Oliveira et al 2004).…”

Biochemical Indices of Cardaic Function of Albino Wistar Rats Exposed to Hippocratea Africana Root Bark Extract

“…The root bark of the plant is used traditionally in the treatment of various ailments such as malaria, fever, body pains, diabetes, and diarrhea [13]. Its antimalarial property has been reported in mice [13] and there are many reports on some of its effects on biochemical parameters [14][15] [16] [17]. The root bark extract of the herb is used traditionally by people in the South Eastern part of Nigeria for the treatment of malaria.…”