Antiplasmodial activity of Cylicodiscus gabunensis.

The antimalarial activity of ethanolic stembark extract of Cylicodiscus gabunensis was studied in vivo in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei during early and established infections as well as for repository activity. The LD(50) of the extract was determined to be 223.6 mg/kg, while doses of 250 mg/kg and above were found to be lethal to mice. Cylicodiscus gabunensis extract (20-60 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant (P<0.05) blood schizontocidal activity in 4-day early infection, repository evaluation and in established infection with a significant mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg/day. The stembark extract possesses a promising antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy.