Abstract

The development of effective antimalarials remains crucial due to ineffective treatments, increasing drug resistance, and restricted access to these drugs in resource-poor malaria-endemic countries. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Diospyros chamaethamnus and Guibourtia coleosperma based on their traditional uses. Efficacy of the extracts was evaluated against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice using suppressive and prophylactic tests. The plant extracts were also tested for toxicity in healthy mice, beginning  with a dose of 300 mg/kg. The plant extracts demonstrated antiplasmodial activity at an 800 mg/kg dose, with D. chamaethamnus showing 44.66% and G. coleosperma 29.59%. This dose prolonged the survival of the mice post-infection by 50 and 58%, respectively, compared to control untreated mice (P<0.05). Aqueous extracts (800 mg kg-1) of D. chamaethamnus and G. coleosperma showed prophylactic activities, reducing parasite load by 56.13 and 55.48%, respectively. No mortalities or adverse effects were observed in the mice, indicating that the extracts were not toxic. According to the findings, the two plants show promise as alternative malaria treatment options.

Key words: Malaria, antiplasmodial activity, suppressive test, repository test, acute oral toxicity, Diospyros chamaethamnus, Guibourtia coleosperma, Namibia.