Evaluation of the antimalarial potential of Icacina senegalensis Juss (Icacinaceae)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity of methanol leaf extract of Icacina senegalensis. Methods: The extract was investigated for activity against early and established malaria infections using Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei at dose levels of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Chloroquine (10 mg/kg) was used as positive control. Results: A dose dependent chemo-suppression of the parasites was observed at different dose levels of the extract tested with a considerable mean survival time. Conclusions: The results support further investigation on components of traditional medicines as potential new antimalarial agents.