Abstract

Methanolic leaf and root extracts of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre were tested in vivo for anti-malarial activity in Swiss albino mice inoculated with chloroquine resistant Plasmodium berghei NK 67 strain. The two extracts exhibited a significant (p>0.05) dose dependant anti-plasmodial activities in isolation and when combined in the 4-days curative standard test with a high mean of survival time. Although, the standard drug, Arthemether - lumefartrin, showed the highest antimalaria potency (81.4%), those of the leaf (74.4%) and root extracts (54.1%) in isolation and combination (63.4%) compared favorably. The leaf extract demonstrated higher antimalarial potency than the root or combination.  The two extracts also produced a significant (p>0.05) positive effect on the weight and hematology values in the treated animals. Phytochemical screening of the plant (leaf and the root extracts) reveals the presences of flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, tannins and alkaloids. The anti-plasmodia activity of these plant extract might be attributed to these phytochemicals compounds. The results showed that the leaf and root of S. jollyanum possesses an anti-malarial activity which was effective against chloroquine resistance strain. This work has validated the traditional uses of S. jollyanum root extract in the treatment of malaria and also reported for the first time the anti-malarial property of the S. jollyanun leaf extract.

Key words: Sphenocentrum jollyanum, Plasmodium berghei, Arthemther lumefartrin, hematological parameter, anti-plasmodium.