CONTRIBUTORY PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA LEAF IN THE TREATMENT OF MALARIA

Abstract

Three crude extracts from Azadirachta indica leaves were assessed on various signs and symptoms of infection in vivo and in vitro. The methanolic and diethylether extracts have significant antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-aggregatory activities, while the chloroform extract did not show appreciable effect. The crude extracts compared favourably with chloroquine in pyrexia, indomethacin in platelet aggregation and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in analgesia and inflammatory experimental models. The pharmacological effects of these extracts might explain the effectiveness of A. indica leaf in malaria therapy traditionally.

Key Words: Azadirachta indica, Meliaceae, malaria, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, aggregatory activities.

Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.3 1999: 42-46