British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 5(2): 59-67, 2014 ISSN: 2044-2459; e-ISSN: 2044-2467 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2014 Submitted: July 25, 2013 Accepted: December 20, 2013 Published: April 20, 2014 Corresponding Author: Gabi Baba, Department of Applied Science, College of Science and Technology Kaduna Polytechnic Kaduna, Nigeria 59 Toxicity Study, Phytochemical Characterization and Anti-parasitic Efficacy of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Sclerocarya birrea against Plasmodium berghei and Salmonella typhi Gabi Baba, A.A.J. Adewumi and Saudatu Ahmed Jere Department of Applied Science, College of Science and Technology Kaduna Polytechnic Kaduna, Nigeria Abstract: In screening drugs, determination of it toxicity is usually part of the initial step in their assessment and evaluation, phytochemical constituents and their isolation can subsequently be determine. Sclerocya birrea is a plant employed ethno medicinally in the treatment of different parasitic infection such as malaria. This study examine the anti-malarial and antibacterial activity of plant leaf extracts against Plasmodium berghei using Swiss albino mice in- vivo and Salmonella typhi isolates. Also acute toxicity (LD 50 as the index), phytochemical screening and FTIR characterization of the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of the plant were conducted. The LD 50 was based on Lorke’s method using mice, while phytochemical screening and FTIR characterization based on the routine procedures. The results indicated that LD 50 of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 566 and 800 mg/kg body weight, (intra-peritoneal), respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, Anthraquinones in the Free State, Carbohydrate (Reducing sugar) and Flavonoids. Also present include Phlobatanins, saponins, tannins and terpenoids all of which are detected in both extracts. However, Cardiac Glycoside and steroids are only detected in the aqueous extract. FTIR spectroscopy indicted the presence of functional groups such as C-H,C = O and O-H, indicating the peaks for alkanes, alcohols, aromatics and Carboxylic acid, While C-O-C,C-C(O)-C, C-N, C-I, N-H indicated the peak for ether, ester, Amine, amide, aldehyde and (alkyl halide). P = O (Phosphine oxide) and C = C (conjugate) (Alkene) also indicated in the extracts. Ethanolic extract is characterize with certain peculiar functional groups such as C-C(O)-C, C-O-C, C-H bend and C-H stretch relating to ethers, esters, aromatics and aldehyde/ketones. The mice were grouped according to their weights and the extracts administered curatively against Plasmodium berghei based on standard procedures. The research finding shows that both aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Sclerocarya birrea was 100% effective against Plasmodium berghei. Double dilution method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of the identified S. birrea in vitro. The aqueous and ethanol extract of Sclerocarya birrea showed an MIC of 3×10 -4 mg/mL and 4×10 -4 mg/mL, respectively; while both extracts were found to have the same MBC of 4×10 -4 mg/mL. The values of their MIC and MBC prove promising in further antibacterial research breakthrough. Keywords: FTRI, in-vivo, in-vitro, LD 50 , Plasmodium berghei, Salmonella typhi, Sclerocarya birrea INTRODUCTION Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. is a common species throughout the semi-arid savannas of sub- Saharan Africa. It is commonly known as marula (English), Danyaa (Hausa) Jinjere goyi (Nupe), the family Anacardiaceae which encompasses 73 genera and 352,600 species (Van Wyk et al., 1997), locally known as marula. It is widespread in Africa from Ethiopia in the north to KwaZulu-Natal in the south. In South Africa it is more dominant in the Baphalaborwa area in the Limpopo province. It occurs naturally in various types of woodland, on sandy soil or occasionally on sandy loam (MacGaw et al., 2007). It has multiple uses, including the fruits that are eaten fresh and sucking the juice or chewing the mucilaginous flesh after removal of the skin. The ripe fruit has an average vitamin C content of 168 mg/100 g which is approximately three times that of oranges and comparable to the amounts present in guavas (Wilson, 1980; Christensen and Kharazmi, 2001). The kernels are eaten and cooking oil can be extracted from them. The leaves are browsed by livestock and have medicinal uses (Muok et al., 2009) as does the bark. Several researchers have reported biological activities of S. birrea extracts, but no comprehensive anti- Plasmodia activities of the plant have been reported, although it is widely used by traditional healers. (Eloff, 2001) reported antibacterial activity of acetone extracts of S. birrea against Staphylococcus aureus,