Screening for antimalarial activity in the genus Potomorphe

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating the search for novel therapeutic agents.
• Traditional medicine often utilizes plant-derived compounds, including those from the Potomorphe genus, for treating various ailments, including malaria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antimalarial potential of ethanolic leaf extracts from Potomorphe umbellata and Potomorphe peltata.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these extracts against Plasmodium berghei infection in a murine model.

Main Methods:

• The study employed the 4-day suppressive test using Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.
• Ethanolic leaf extracts of P. umbellata and P. peltata were administered via oral and subcutaneous routes at various dosages.
• Parasitemia levels were monitored to assess antimalarial activity.

Main Results:

• Ethanolic leaf extract of Potomorphe umbellata demonstrated significant dose-dependent reduction in parasitemia when administered orally and subcutaneously.
• Ethanolic leaf extract of Potomorphe peltata, including an extract from the whole plant, showed no significant antimalarial activity in the tested models.
• P. umbellata extracts effectively reduced parasite levels, indicating strong antimalarial properties.

Conclusions:

• Potomorphe umbellata possesses significant antimalarial properties, supporting its traditional use.
• Potomorphe peltata, in its tested forms, does not exhibit antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei.
• Further research into P. umbellata compounds may yield new antimalarial drug leads.