East Afr Med J. 2002 Jul; 79(7): 343-6.

Prophylactic effect of multi-herbal extract 'Agbo-Iba' on malaria induced in mice.

Nwabuisi C.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a multi-herbal preparation extract of 'Agbo-Iba' on rodent malaria induced in mice. DESIGN: An experimental design in which mice were divided into four groups A,B,C,D representing control, prophylactic, chloroquine and 'Agbo-Iba' groups respectively. Each mouse was intraperitoneally inoculated with Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis and treated with oral herbal extract or chloroquine syrup depending on group. SETTING: College of Medicine of the University of Lagos Medical Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory. SUBJECTS: One hundred and twenty male and female albino mice aged 10-12 weeks with an average weight of 25 grams. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The herbal extract was effective, preventing the development of parasitaemia in the prophylactic group of mice. RESULTS: After intraperitoneal inoculation of Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis, a prepatent period of two days was observed before parasitaemia was established in all but the prophylactic group of mice. Induced infection was promptly aborted with oral chloroquine treatment in group C, while in groups A and D, infection terminated fatally. Group B mice appeared normal throughout the duration of investigation with 100% survival rate. CONCLUSION: 'Agbo-Iba' extract has some prophylactic action against malaria induced in mice with no apparent significant side effects.