Abstract:
Carpolobia lutea (leaves and root) is used traditionally as malarial remedy by the Ibibios of Niger Delta of
Nigeria and Benin. . This study was aimed to investigate the antiplasmodial potentials of the crude leaf and root
extracts of this plant as well as their fractions in vivo in Plasmodium berghei berghei -infected mice to give
scientific proof to the ethnobotanical claims and correlate with the reported in vivo activity. The ethanolic
extracts of Carpolobia lutea leaf (245-735mg/kg/day) and root (7-21mg/kg/day) were screened for blood
plasmocidal activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei in mice. The antimalarial activity in 4-
day and curative tests was evaluated. Carpolobia lutea leaf extract (245-735mg/kg/day) and fractions exhibited
significant ( p<0.05-0.01) antiplasmodial activity both in 4-day early infection test and in established infection
with a considerable mean survival time which was incomparable to that the standard drug, chloroquine
(5mg/kg/day). The root extract (7 - 21mg/kg/day) and fractions also demonstrated a promising blood
schizontocidal activity in early and established infections. These plant extracts and fractions possess
considerable antiplasmodial activities which justify their use in ethnomedicine and can be exploited in the
control of malaria.
