Antiplasmodial and antiamoebic activities of medicinal plants from Sierra Leone

Abstract

Crude ethanol extracts of 18 medicinal plants from Sierra Leone, West Africa were examined for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, using an in vitro microtest. Eleven of these extracts were also screened for in vitro antiamoebic activity against Entamoeba histolytica. Only one plant extract, Triclisia patens (Menispermaceae) showed significant antiplasmodial activity (IC(50) = 8 microg/mL). None of the plant extracts was effective against Entamoeba histolytica.