Effectiveness of the Combination of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and Clausena anisata in Uncomplicated Malaria

Kwesi Prah Thomford^1*, Dominic Adotey Edoh¹, Ama Kyeraa Thomford²,
Mavis Boakye-Yiadom¹, Anastasia Yirenkyi¹, Kingsley Attuah¹, Alfred Ampomah Appiah^1
1Centre for Plant Medicine Research, P.O.Box 73, Mampong-Akwapim, Ghana
²Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract
Drug resistance is the single most important factor that continues to drive the search for new antimalarials. In this study, a Ghanaian herbal antimalarial product labelled Nibima plus was evaluated for its effectiveness in the treatment of malaria. The propriety product is prepared from a combination of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and Clausena anisata. A total of twenty-two (22) subjects diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria were recruited and followed up for seven (7) days. Mean baseline temperature and parasitaemia for participants was 38.24 (±0.43) ºC and 5310 (±3488)/µl respectively. Treatment with the product resulted in a total parasite clearance for 21 (95.45 %) of subjects with marked improvement in the patient symptoms and haematological parameters by day 7. The results of the study indicate the product may be effective as an antimalarial agent.
Keywords: Clausena anisata, Clinical study, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Herbal medicine, Malaria