In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activities of e xtracts of Cymbopogon citratus Staph and Vernonia amygdalina Delile leaves

Abstract

Present study investigated the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of C. citratus and V. amygdalina leaves extracts when used in combination in mice. Greatest in vitro antimalarial activity occurred in the dichlorometha ne extracts which were investigated for in vivo antimalarial activity in mice at doses of 400mg/kg and 600mg/kg. A significant dose dependent activity was observed. 600mg/kg of each extract used in combination and administered orally successfully su ppressed parasitemia in mice for greater than 30 days compared to controls which die d within ten days. No recrudescence was observed and mice maintained their weight. These results show that mice infected with P. berghei can be cured by a combination of extracts of the two Nigerian plants C. citratus and V. amygdalina at a dose of 600 mg/kg using a 4day suppressive treatment.