Evaluation of in vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Lasianthera Africana

The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol leaf extract of Lasianthera africana grown particularly for the leaf in Niger Delta region of Nigeria was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Lasianthera africana (1000-3000 mg.kg.day1) exhibited significant (p< 0.05) blood schizonticidal activity both in 4- day early infection test and in established infection with a considerable mean survival time though not comparable to that of the standard drug,chloroquine, 5 mg. kg. day1. The leaf extract possesses significant (p< 0.05) antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malarial chemotherapy.