Antiplasmodial potential of traditional phytotherapy of some remedies used in treatment of malaria in Meru-Tharaka Nithi County of Kenya.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Medicinal plants play a major role in many communities across the world, in the treatment and prevention of disease and the promotion of general health. The aim of the study was to escalate documentation from an earlier study of medicinal plants, traditionally used to combat malaria by the Ameru community of Imenti Forest area and Gatunga in Eastern Region of Kenya, and validate their ethnopharmacological claims by evaluating their antiplasmodial efficacies.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out in Meru County at Imenti Forest Game Reserve and in Tharaka Nithi County at Gatunga.

Antiplasmodial potential of traditional antimalarial phytotherapy remedies used by the Kwale community of the Kenyan Coast.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In Kenya, 22 million people are at risk of malaria, 70% of them are in rural areas and most of these people use traditional plant based medicines to treat malaria. The aim of the study was to escalate documentation, from an earlier study of medicinal plants, traditionally used to treat malaria by the Digo community of Kwale County, taking cognizance of their pharmacological information by evaluating their antiplasmodial efficacies.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out in Kwale County at Shimba Hills Game Reserve and adjoining part of Kinango.

Anti-plasmodial activity of the extracts of some Kenyan medicinal plants.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The spread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains necessitates search for alternative newer drugs for use against malaria. Medicinal plants used traditionally in preparation of herbal medicines for malaria are potential source of new anti-malarial drugs.

Aim Of The Study: To identify the anti-plasmodial potential of twelve plants used in preparing herbal remedies for malaria in Kilifi and Tharaka districts of Kenya.

Anti-plasmodial activity of the extracts and two sesquiterpenes from Cyperus articulatus.

Two sesquiterpenes, corymbolone and mustakone, isolated from the chloroform extract of the rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus, exhibited significant anti-plasmodial properties. Mustakone was approximately ten times more active than corymbolone against the sensitive strains of the Plasmodium falciparum.

The in vitro anti-plasmodial and in vivo anti-malarial efficacy of combinations of some medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of malaria by the Meru community in Kenya.

The use of herbal drugs as combinations has existed for centuries in several cultural systems. However, the safety and efficacy of such combinations have not been validated. In this study, the toxicity, anti-plasmodial and antimalarial efficacy of several herbal drug combinations were investigated.