Antimalarial Activity of Tanzanian Medicinal Plants1

H. Weenen; M. H. H. Nkunya; D. H. Bray; L. B. Mwasumbi; L. S. Kinabo; V. A. E. B. Kilimali

doi:10.1055/s-2006-960984

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

Planta Med 1990; 56(4): 368-370
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-960984

Papers

Antimalarial Activity of Tanzanian Medicinal Plants¹

H. Weenen² , M. H. H. Nkunya² , D. H. Bray³ , L. B. Mwasumbi⁴ , L. S. Kinabo² , V. A. E. B. Kilimali⁵

²Department of Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35061, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
³Department of Medical Protozoology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
⁴Department of Botany, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35060, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
⁵National Institute for Medical Research, Amani Research Centre, P.O. Box 4, Amani, Tanzania

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Abstract

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Abstract

Tanzanian medicinal plants were extracted and tested for in vitro antimalarial activity, using the multidrug resistant K₁ strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Of 49 plants investigated, extracts of three plants were found to have an IC₅₀ between 5-10 µg/ml, extracts of 18 other plants showed an IC₅₀ between 10 and 50 µg/ml, all others were less active. The three most active extracts were obtained from the tubers of Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae), the rootbark of Hoslundia opposita Vahl. (Labiatae), and the rootbark of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae).

Key words

Tanzanian - medicinal plants - antimalarial activity - Plasmodium falciparum - Cyperus rotundus - Hoslundia opposita - Lantana camara

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