Antimalarial activities of Breynia Nivosa

Abstract

Background & Aim: Antiplasmodial activity of leaf extract of <em>Breynia nivosa</em> was evaluated to ascertain the folkloric claim of its antimalarial activity. Experimental: The crude leaf extract (75 – 225 mg/kg), of <em>Breynia nivosa</em> was investigated for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive <em>Plasmodium berghei</em> infections in mice. The antiplasmodial activity during early and established infections as well as prophylactic were investigated. Artesunate 5 mg/kg and pyrimethamine 1.2 mg/kg were used as positive controls. Thin films made from tail blood of each mouse were used to assess the level of parasitaemia of the mice. Results & Discussion: The extract dose-dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by chloroquine sensitive <em>Plasmodium berghei </em>infection in prophylactic, suppressive and curative models in mice. These reductions were statistically significant (p<0.001). They also improved the mean survival time (MST) from 11 to 27 days relative to control control (p Industrial and practical recommendations: The plant, <em>Breynia nivosa,</em> possesses antimalarial property which can be exploited in the treatment of malaria.