In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of Polyalthia longifolia (Annonaceae) Leaf Extract and Assessment of Its Formulated Oral Dosage Forms

Abstract

Plant medicine is commonly employed to treat malaria and other infections in Ghana. However, many of these phytomedicines have not been scientifically investigated to justify their use. -is study therefore sought to investigate the antimalarial property of Polyalthia longifolia leaves and to formulate suitable dosage forms for ease of administration. A four-day antiplasmodial suppressive and curative study was conducted on ethanol extract of P. longifolia leaves (PLE) using Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice. Tablet and suspension dosage forms of PLE were formulated and evaluated for quality and stability. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) parasitaemia suppression (61.25%) and cure (58.78%) were achieved at a PLE dose of 100 mg/kg, and increases in hematological indices (P < 0.001) were also observed in the PLE-treated mice as compared to the untreated group. -e tablets passed the tests for uniformity of weight, friability (<1%), hardness, disintegration (<15 minutes), and in vitro dissolution (>70% release in 45 minutes). -e sedimentation volume, rheology, viscosity, and pH of the formulated suspension were within the official specifications. -e dosage forms showed consistency in PLE content (85–105%) and no changes in physicochemical properties over the six months period of stability study. -e in vivo antimalarial activity of PLE has been established and oral dosage forms that conformed to Pharmacopoeial standards are formulated for use in the management of malaria.