Medicinal plants used for malaria treatment and management in Kenya: A systematic review

Abstract

Malaria remains a leading public health concern in Kenya, with high morbidity and mortality rates despite the availability of conventional interventions such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). The increasing resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to antimalarial drugs necessitates the exploration of alternative treatment options. Traditional medicinal plants have been widely used in Kenya for malaria treatment, particularly in rural and resource-limited settings. This systematic review synthesizes available ethnobotanical and pharmacological evidence on medicinal plants used for malaria management in Kenya. A total of 85 plant species from 45 botanical families were identified, with Artemisia annua, Ajuga remota, Azadirachta indica, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum being the most frequently cited. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that Artemisia annua had a parasite reduction rate of 85%, while Ajuga remota and Warburgia ugandensis showed moderate efficacy, reducing parasitemia by 68% and 72%, respectively. While these plants exhibited minimal adverse effects, further toxicological studies and clinical trials are necessary to confirm their safety and efficacy. Standardization of plant preparations, conservation of medicinal plant resources and integration of ethnobotanical knowledge into national malaria control programs are recommended to enhance their potential in malaria management.