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

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.