Screening Diospyros mespiliformis extract for antimalarial potency

Diospyros mespiliformis is used in ethnomedical practice for treating malaria attack. The aqueous extract of the plant’s stem bark was investigated for in vivo antiplasmodial potency in mice. Curative effect against established infection, suppressive activity against early infection and prophylactic effect in residual infection were tested against Plasmodium berghei berghei infected mice. Result shows that the extract (50-200 mg/kg, p.o.) has significant (p<0.05) dose dependent activity against the parasite in the curative and suppressive test, and repository effect at high doses (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.). The extract also prolonged the survival time of the infected mice. Phytochemical test revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, steroids and terpenes, and the LD50 was established to be 1095.4 mg/kg, i.p. in mice. The result shows that the extract has antimalarial potency