In vivo Antiplasmodial and Cytotoxic Activity of Achyranthes aspera and Ficus thoningii in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical countries, and the alarming spread of parasite resistance to drugs underscores the need to develop new antimalarial compounds. In this study, the phytochemical constituents, in vivo antiplasmodial, and cytotoxic activity of methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Ficus thoningii were evaluated using chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei in mice. The extract of F. thoningii exhibited significant (P˂0.05) blood schizontocidal activity in a four day treatment test, in a dose dependent manner. Likewise, A. aspera extract resulted in high suppressions of schizonts (74%, 100% and 87%) at 50, 100, and 200 mg/Kg body weight, respectively (P˂0.05). Neither death nor toxic sign was recorded in the mice in the acute toxicity study. These findings provide scientific rationale for the traditional use of these plants against malaria symptoms, and also make the plant a candidate for bioactivity-guided phytochemical analyzes to identify the active principles.