Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0412
ISSN: 2167-0412
Titilayo O Johnson, G Istifanus, J G Peter, P K Dauda, J T Tanko and J C Agunyi
University of Jos, Nigeria
National Veterinary Research Institute, Nigeria
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Medicinal Plants
The genus Phyllanthus has a long history of use in herbal medicine and several species of the plant are touted as natural remedies for a variety of health problems. Phyllanthus nivosus is abundant in Nigeria where it is being used traditionally to treat malaria. However, little work has been done to validate these claims and explore its therapeutic potentials in drug research and development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiplasmodial potential of Phyllantus nivosus leaf as a possible source of antimalarial agent. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analysis, as well as in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the leaf was carried out. Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes were incubated at 37 �?ºC in RPMI 1640 culture media (modified with L-glutamine, sodium bicarbonate and HEPES) in the presence of varying concentrations (100 �?µg/ml, 50 �?µg/ml, 25 �?µg/ml, 12 �?µg/ml, 6 �?µg/ml and 3 �?µg/ml) of extracts of Phyllantus nivosus leaf. Same concentrations of Chloroquine, Artemether and Lumefantrine (ACT) were used as standards. Plasmodium Lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) activity was determined after 72 hours as a measure of parasite growth. Phyllantus nivosus leaf was found to contain 4.80% w/w alkaloids; 8.72% w/w tannins and 7.92% w/w flavonoids. No significant difference (P> 0.05) was observed in percentage pLDH activity in the presence of 6, 12 and 50 �?µg/ml of ethanolic extract and 12, 25 and 50 �?µg/ml of hexane extracts when compared with ACT and Chloroquine. This study showed that P. nivosus leaf possess antimalarial activity and is therefore a possible candidate for antimalarial drug research.
Titilayo O Johnson has obtained her PhD from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. She is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Department of Biochemistry and African Center of Excellence in Phytomedicine Research and Development, University of Jos, Nigeria. She has more than 15 publications in reputable journals.