Abstract

ANTIPLASMODIAL ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF NEWBOULDIA LAEVIS

Arnold C. Igboasoiyi*, Emmanuel E. Attih and Amarachi P. Egeolu

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a parasitic protozoan disease caused by the protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium. It is a major threat to health and constitutes medical and developmental challenge to individuals, communities and nations. Newbouldia laevis is an ethno-medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of malaria and other ailments. Phytochemical screening and antiplasmodial studies were carried out on the crude and fractions of the leaf extract of the plant using standard procedures. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, tannins, terpenes, flavonoids and carbohydrates in varying proportions. The crude extract exhibited a dose-dependent antiplasmodial activity against the parasite on all the models. The fractions also exhibited antiplasmodial activities with the ethyl acetate fraction showing the best antiplasmodial activity which is comparable to the standard drug. From the results obtained, Newbouldia laevis leaf is a good source of phytochemicals and also a potential source of potent antiplasplasmodial compounds that could be developed into drugs useful for the treatment of malaria.

Keywords: Newbouldia laevis, Antiplasmodial activity, Phytochemical screening.