Evaluation of the Antiplasmodial Properties of Namibian Medicinal Plant Species, Moringa ovalifolia

Background and Objective: Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa but it is on the decline in some Southern African countries including Namibia, which is moving towards elimination of the disease. Despite the availability of effective medicines in Namibia, some communities do not accept allopathic medicines, preferring traditional medicines. This study was conducted to determine the phytochemistry and the efficacy of Moringa ovalifolia (M. ovalifolia) an ethnomedicinal plant, to provide a basis for their integration into mainstream malaria case management. Materials and Methods: Moringa ovalifolia was screened for known classes of antimalarial phytochemicals using thin layer chromatography. In vitro antiplasmodial activity of aqueous and organic extracts from Moringa ovalifolia was measured using parasitaemia post-treatment with plant extracts as well as the IC50 values. Data analysis using two-way ANOVA to determine the significant interactions between plant extracts and plasmodic growth. Results: Phytochemical screening of M. ovalifolia revealed the presence of flavonoids, anthraquinones, coumarin, terpenoids and alkaloids. Against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) D10, the leaf extracts of M. ovalifolia were the most effective with IC50 values of 14.30 and 20.73 μg mLG1 for the organic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Conclusion: M. ovalifolia extracts exhibited moderate antiplasmodial properties in vitro and have potential as antimalarials. These findings provide a basis for further investigation into their phytochemistry as well as in vivo studies on their safety and efficacy to support their use as an alternative treatment for malaria.