Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The increasing resistance of Plasmodium species to conventional drugs necessitates exploration of new antimalarial agents from natural sources.
(Rubiaceae), traditionally used in African medicine, has shown potential therapeutic value. This study evaluated its pharmacognostic characteristics and antimalarial efficacy in
-infected mice.
Methods: The leaves of
M. scaber were extracted with methanol and dichloromethane and subjected to pharmacognostic, microscopic, and chemomicroscopic evaluation using standard methods.
In vivo antimalarial studies were carried out using
P. berghei-infected mice treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the crude extract, while artemether (6 mg/kg) served as reference. Hematological and parasitemia indices were determined.
Results: Phytochemical screening revealed high levels of flavonoids (1111.06 mg/100 g), tannins (975.63 mg/100 g), phenols (925.70 mg/100 g), and alkaloids (665.68 mg/100 g). Microscopy confirmed diagnostic features such as paracytic stomata, unicellular trichomes, dorsiventral mesophyll, and calcium oxalate crystals. Methanolic extract demonstrated significant dose-dependent antimalarial activity with 45%, 70%, and 85% suppression at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Improvement in hematological parameters and absence of acute toxicity confirmed its safety.
Conclusion: Mitrocarpus. scaber possesses potent antimalarial activity and unique pharmacognostic characteristics supporting its traditional use. These findings encourage further isolation and characterization of its active phytochemicals for drug development.
