Antiplasmodial activity of the ethanolic root bark extract of Icacina senegalensis in mice infected by Plasmodium berghei.

BACKGROUND: The root of Icacina senegalensis is used for the treatment of malaria and related conditions in southeastern Nigeria.

METHODS: To establish its efficacy, the ethanolic root bark extract was investigated as antiplasmodial agent against Plasmodium berghei in mice. A 4-day suppressive test and the curative effect against established infection models of antiplasmodial studies were used.

RESULTS: The root bark extract of I. senegalensis (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent activity against the parasite based on suppressive and curative study. The antimalarial effect of I. senegalensis is compared with that of chloroquine (10 mg/kg), the standard drug. The ethanolic root bark extract also prolonged the survival time of infected mice.

CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the root bark extract possesses a potential antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited for the possible development of new antimalarial agent.