In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activity of Some Plants used in Kisii, Kenya Against Malaria and their Chloroquine Potentiation Effects.

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Date
2003-02Author
Muregi, F. W.
Chhabra, S. C.
Njagi, E.N.M.
Thoruwa, C. L.
Njue, W. M.
Orago, A. S.
Omar, S. A.
Ndiege, I. O.
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Fifty-five organic and aqueous extracts of 11 plants used in malaria therapy in Kisii District, Kenya were tested in vitro against chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Of the plants tested, 73% were active (IC50<100 μg/ml). Three plants, Vernonia lasiopus, Rhamnus prinoides and Ficus sur afforded extracts with IC50 values ranging less than 30 μg/ml against both CQ-sensitive and resistant strains. Combination of some extracts with CQ against the multi-drug resistant P. falciparum isolate V1/S revealed some synergistic effect. The plant extracts with low IC50 values may be used as sources for novel antimalarial compounds to be used alone or in combination with CQ.