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In vitro anti-plasmodial and in vivo anti-malarial activity of some plants traditionally used for the treatment of malaria by the Meru community in Kenya

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Abstract

Extracts of seven medicinal plant species used for treatment of malaria in traditional/cultural health systems of the Ameru people in Kenya were tested in vitro and in vivo against Plasmodium falciparum (D6 and W2 strains) and P. berghei, respectively. Of the plants tested, 28.57% were highly active (IC50 <10 μg/ml) and 42.86% moderately active (IC50 10–50 μg/ml), while 28.57% had weak activity of 50–125 μg/ml in vitro. The water and methanol extracts of Boscia salicifolia Oliv. and Artemisia afra Jacq. (ex-Willd.) were the most active against both the chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive (D6) and the CQ-resistant (W2) P. falciparum strains. Artemisia afra and Rhus natalensis Bernh. (ex-Krauss) exhibited the highest parasite clearance and chemo-suppression (>70%) in vivo (in mice). The plants with high in vitro anti-plasmodial (low IC50 values) and high anti-malarial activity (high chemo-suppression) in vivo are potential sources of novel anti-malarial drugs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the World Health Organization (WHO) for funding all aspects of this study under TDR-WHO grant no. A30707. Mr. G. Mungai of the East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya (NMK), is acknowledged for assisting in the collection and botanical identification of the medicinal plants. We recognize the Director of KEMRI for allowing the publication of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya

    James W. Gathirwa, Geoffrey M. Rukunga, Charles N. Muthaura, Peter G. Mwitari, Cecilia W. Kimani, Peter G. Kirira, Festus M. Tolo & Teresia N. Ndunda

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    James W. Gathirwa & Eliud N. M. Njagi

  3. Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya

    Sabah A. Omar

  4. School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Anastasia N. Guantai

  5. Department of Chemistry, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Isaiah O. Ndiege

Authors
  1. James W. Gathirwa
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  2. Geoffrey M. Rukunga
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  3. Eliud N. M. Njagi
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  4. Sabah A. Omar
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  6. Charles N. Muthaura
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  9. Peter G. Kirira
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  11. Teresia N. Ndunda
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  12. Isaiah O. Ndiege
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isaiah O. Ndiege.

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Gathirwa, J.W., Rukunga, G.M., Njagi, E.N.M. et al. In vitro anti-plasmodial and in vivo anti-malarial activity of some plants traditionally used for the treatment of malaria by the Meru community in Kenya. J Nat Med 61, 261–268 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-007-0140-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-007-0140-0

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