Phytochemical Screening and In vivo Antiplasmodial Sensitivity Study of Locally Cultivated Artemisia annua Leaf Extract Against Plasmodium berghei

Abstract

Objective of the study: Medicinal plant research has become very important considering the herbal resources our rain forest is bestowed with which if harnessed could solve the challenges in malaria treatment in the area of accessibility and treatment cost. The present study on antimalarial activity of locally cultivated Artemisia annua in Langtang South area of Plateau State against Plasmodium berghei and the phytochemical screening of the leaf extract is to evaluate the efficacy, phytochemical content and possible indigenization of the herbal based medicine which for now is not native to Nigeria. Methodology: In vivo anti-malarial sensitivity of plant extract was assessed using the 4-day test for anti-malarial activity against a chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK65 strain in Swiss albino mice, Phytochemical analysis and the lethal dose (LD50) in mice screening were also determined. Results: There was a dose -dependent inhibition of parasitaemia in the In vivo antiplasmodial tests, with maximum effect at 300 mg/kg. LD50 in mice was estimated to be 2750 mg/kg and the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of terpenes, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and carbohydrate. Conclusion: The leaf extract of A. annua contains biologically active principles that possess anti-malarial activities, therefore further studies of its active components will be carried out.