Antimalarial Activity of Stem Bark of Periploca linearifolia during Early and Established Plasmodium Infection in Mice.

Background: In Ethiopia, stem bark of Periploca linearifolia is used for the treatment of malaria by the local community and demonstrated antimalarial activity in vitro . Despite its in vitro antimalarial activity, no scientific study has been carried out to verify its activity in vivo . Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the antimalarial activity of Periploca linearifolia stem bark extract in mice.

Methods: The dried stem bark of Periploca linearifolia was extracted with 80% methanol and evaluated for its antimalarial activity on both early and established Plasmodium berghei infected mice. The extract was prepared at graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg. Chloroquine and distilled water were administered to the positive and negative control groups, respectively.

Results: The crude extract, at all tested doses, suppressed parasitemia significantly ( p < 0.05) for 200 and 400 mg/kg and ( p < 0.001) for 600 mg/kg. The suppression values at these doses were 56.98, 43.33, and 38.17 percent, respectively. Periploca linearifolia extract also demonstrated schizonticidal activity in the established malaria infection.

Conclusion: The plant Periploca linearifolia has a promising antimalarial activity in mice, supporting its in vitro finding. Thus, it could be considered as a potential source to develop new antimalarial agent.