Combating MALARIA in Sub-Saharan Africa - The Potential of Local Plant

The investigation of anti-plasmodia effect of metabolic leaf extract of Gyssypium barbadense in P. Berghei (NK 65 Chloroquine resistance strain) infected Swiss albino mice. The animals were grouped into six (I, ii, iii, iv, v, vi) of five (5) mice each. Group (i) given 50mg/kg dosage of the leaf extract, Group ii 100mg/kg Group iii 200/kg, Group iv given anti-malaria drug (ACT A) at a DOSE OF 3.81MG/KD, Group v given coartem and Group vi served as a -ve control. A four days curative test was carried out. The % parasite inhibition of the leaf extract at 50mg/kg is 58.29% at 100mg/kg is 61.16 % at 200mg/kg is 51.92% and 41.60% for group (iv) & 66.23% for group (v). The % parasite density was observed to increase with increase in concentration of the leaf extract (50<100<200). The progression in %parasite inhibition by the leaf extract as compared with +ve control group (IV) & (v) of a purified drug has better efficacy, it is premature to conclude. The leaf extract was found to contain Flavonoids, Sappnnin, Cardiac glycosides, PHENOL. It is observed in the result a significant increase (p<0.05) in weight of the animals on treatment with the leaf may contain antiplasmodia agents.