Antiplasmodial activities and abortifacient properties of three commonly used African indigenous anti-malarial plants in Plasmodium berghei infected pregnant mice: implication for maternal and fetal health

Abstract

From the survey, Cymbopogon citratus (Leaf), Morinda lucida (Leaf), and Enanthia chlorantha (Bark) were the most frequently mentioned to be useful in management of malaria during pregnancy. Both M. lucida and E. chlorantha produced up to 70% P. gerghei chemosuppression in a dose dependent manner. Chemosupression was less than 50% in mice treated with C. citratus extracts. E. chlorantha induced abortion, while extracts of C. citratus and M. lucida caused miscarriage in pregnant mice. Progesterone titters were reduced in mice treated with plant extracts compared with those administered with Fansidar and untreated groups (p < 0.05).