In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity of Momordica balsamina alone or in a traditional mixture.

Background: Because of the dramatic situation of malaria in Africa, there is an urgent need to find new and cheap drugs, such as herbal medicines. Here we report the study of the in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of Momordica balsamina alone or in a traditional mixture used in Niger.

Methods: Extracts were obtained with different solvents and tested in vitro on Plasmodium falciparum and in vivo on Plasmodium vinckei.

Results: The best extracts are methanolic and present promising results in vivo by intraperitoneal and oral administration.

Conclusion: The antimalarial activity of M. balsamina, traditionally used in Niger, is confirmed in vitro and in vivo without any toxicity in healthy mice.