ANTIPLASMODIAL ACTIVITY OF 4 KENYAN MEDICINAL-PLANTS

A preliminary antiplasmodial and phytochemical screening of four Kenya n medicinal plants was carried out. The medicinal plants were extracte d and tested for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine- sensitive (K67) and chloroquine-resistant (ENT36) strains of Plasmodiu m falciparum. Out of 16 extracts, 12 were active against ENT36 strain while seven were active against K67 strain, that is, IC(50)less than o r equal to 50 mu g/ml. The most active extracts on both strains were t hose of leaves of Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. and Suregada zanzibari ensis Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) with IC(50)less than or equal to 10 mu g/ ml. The stembark of Terminalia spinosa Engl. (Combretaceae) and the st ems of Dissotis brazzae Cogn. (Melastomataceae) had IC(50)less than or equal to 10 mu g/ml for strains K67 and ENT36, respectively. A prelim inary phytochemical analysis of these plants revealed the presence of different classes of primary and secondary metabolites. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd.