The Antiplasmodial Activity of an Herbal Antimalarial, AM 207 in Plasmodium berghei-infected Balb/c Mice: Absence of Organ Specific Toxicity

The antiplasmodial activity in P. berghei-infected Balb/c mice and safely in rats of the herbal antimalarial, AM 207 were investigated. The results of the 4-day parasite suppression test showed a high antiplasmodial activity of AM 207 (40 and 200 mg kg-1) comparable to that of Nibima (80 mg kg-1) and chloroquine evidenced by the similar reductions in parasitemia (6.5-6.7%) and degrees of chemo-suppression (48.3-50.6%). However, AM 207 (200 mg kg-1) and Nibima (80 mg kg-1) showed the highest chemo-suppressions (65.9-71,4%>), which were comparable to that of chloroquine (86.6%). There were no adverse effects of AM 207 on selected rat organs/tissues as evidenced by absence of any significant untoward changes in haematological, urine and serum biochemical parameters as well as organ/body weights. These results indicate that AM 207 at 200 mg kg-1 exhibited antiplasmodial activity comparable to chloroquine and Nibima (80 mg kg-1) and there is no apparent organ specific toxicity associated with it on sub-chronic administration to rats.