INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF ANOGEISSUS LEIOCARPUS AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM SCHIZONTS

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium.  The widespread emergence of drug-resistant strains of P. falciparum underscores the urgent need for novel antimalarial agents. This study investigated the schizont growth inhibition effect of Anogeissus leiocarpus (Marke), a medicinal plant widely used in African traditional medicine. Using an in vitro schizont maturation inhibition assay, the aqueous leaf extract of A. leiocarpus was tested against P. falciparum. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was determined over a concentration range of 100–1.56 µg/mL. Results showed a dose-dependent inhibition of schizont maturation, with an IC₅₀ of 1.828 µg/mL. Morphologically, the highest schizont growth inhibition of 86.32 % occurred at 100 µg/mL. A significant reduction in plasmodial viability compared with the negative control was observed. This study highlights the bioactivity of A. leiocarpus as an affordable, accessible, and effective alternative to synthetic antimalarial drugs. Future research should focus on isolating active compounds, elucidating their mechanisms of action, and evaluating their efficacy and safety in vivo.