African Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 4(21), pp. 2211 - 2214, 4 November, 2010 Available online http://www.academicjournals.org/ajmr ISSN 1996-0808 ©2010 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of Berlina grandiflora leaf extract against Plasmodium berghei in mice Akuodor G. C. 1 *, Anyalewechi N. A. 1 , Ikoro N. C. 2 , Akpan J. L. 3 , Megwas U. A. 4 , Iwuanyanwu T. C. 1 and Osunkwo U. A. 1 1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) Idu, P. M. B. 21, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. 2 Department of Optometry and Optical Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. 3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. 4 Department of Optometry, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. Accepted 15 June, 2010 The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of methanol leaf extract of Berlina grandiflora was investigated in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Four day suppressive and curative effect against established infection models of antiplasmodial studies was used. The extract (100 to 400 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity in early and established infection tests with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of chloroquine, 10 mg/kg. The leaf extract showed a significant (p < 0.05) activity against the parasite in the suppressive and curative tests. The finding supports the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of malaria. Key words: Berlina grandiflora, medicinal plant, antimalarial activity, Plasmodium berghei. INTRODUCTION There are about 300 million acute cases of malaria each year globally, resulting in more than a million deaths annually (Muentener et al., 1999; Sachs and Malaney, 2002). About 90% of these deaths occur in Africa, mostly in young children. Malaria is Africa’s leading causes of under five mortality and constitutes 10% of the continents overall disease burden, it accounts for 40% of public health expenditure, 30 to 50% inpatient and up to 50% out-patient in areas with high malaria transmission. Despite the increase threat of malaria to lives especially in Africa, success in controlling the disease is possible (White et al., 2004). Different approaches are currently being advocated to achieve this which includes: exploring evidences of immunity, revisiting the abandoned vector *Corresponding author. E-mail: goddyakuodor@yahoo.com. Tel: +23480325237. control methods and investigation into traditionally used herbal medicines (Wright, 2005). Berlina grandiflora Hutch and Dalz (Leguminasae) is a popular plant in Nigeria traditional medicine. The plant is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders (Asuzu et al., 1993). In Ghana, the stem is used as chewing stick and in the preparation of enemas against constipation while the bark and fruits are used in South Africa to stupefy fish (Asuzu et al., 1993). The plant is widely distributed in Africa from Nigeria to Ghana, Congo Brazzaville, Central and Southern Africa (Dalziel, 1937). In an effort to validate the basis for the medicinal uses of B. gradiflora, (Enwerem et al., 2001a; Enwerem et al., 2001b) observed a remarkable antihelminthic activity of the plant. The plant also possesses analgesic and antimalarial properties. Although, the scientific proof of the efficacy of this plant extract as antimalria has not been documented. The present study is concerned with the preliminary in vivo antimalarial evaluation of the methanolic leaf extract of B. gradiflora using Plasmodium