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Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease characterized by recurrent seizures. According to 2019 WHO report, it affects about 50 million people globally and nearly 80% of them live in low-and middleincome countries. Current antiepileptic drugs have several limitations including lack of response in significant number of patients and intolerable adverse drug reactions. Buddleja polystachya Fresen. (Buddlejaceae) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of epilepsy in Ethiopian traditional medicine, where the dried leaves are crushed, mixed with local alcoholic beverage and taken orally. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of the 80% methanol leaf extract and solvent fractions of B. polystachya in mice models of seizure. The dried and powdered leaves of B. polystachya were extracted using cold maceration with 80% methanol (1:5 w/v), and the resulting crude extract was fractionated using chloroform and n-butanol to get chloroform, n-butanol and aqueous fractions. Anticonvulsant activities of B. polystachya crude extract and solvent fractions at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were evaluated using pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES)–induced seizures in mice (n = 6). In addition, motor coordination effects were assessed using rotarod test. Sodium valproate (200 mg/kg), phenytoin (25 mg/kg) and diazepam (5 mg/kg) were used as standards for PTZ, MES and rotarod tests, respectively. Distilled water or 2% tween 80 was used as negative control. All doses of the crude extract exhibited a significant (p < 0.001) anticonvulsant property in both PTZ and MES tests compared with negative control. Similarly, the n-butanol fraction exerted significant (p < 0.001) anticonvulsant effects in both seizure models. However, the chloroform fraction (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed a significant (p < 0.001) anticonvulsant effect in only PTZ-induced seizure model. The aqueous fraction was devoid of any anticonvulsant activity in both models. The crude extract and fractions did not exert any significant changes in motor coordination. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the crude extract and solvent fractions revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, terpenoids and saponins. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that the plant has a promising anticonvulsant activity and could be considered as a potential source to develop new anticonvulsant drug.

Background In Ethiopia, malaria control has been complicated due to resistance of the parasite and its vectors to the current drugs. Therefore, new drugs are required to avert the problem posed by drug-resistant Plasmodium strains. There is need to investigate alternative sources of antimalarial agents and plants are potential source of antimalarial drugs. This study aimed to investigate the antimalarial activity of the leaves of N. congesta crude extract (hydromethanolic extract) and solvent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, and aqueous fractions of crude extract) traditionally used to treat malaria in many parts of Ethiopia. Methods Acute oral toxicity of the leaves of N. congesta extract was assessed in mice up to a dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight. Antiplasmodial activities of crude extract and solvent fractions were assessed in P. berghei infected female Swiss albino mice models using the Peter's 4-day suppressive test. The curative activities of crude extract and fractions were evaluated using Rane's test. Results Plant extract exhibited no signs of toxicity on mice at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight. Crude extract showed significant parasitemia suppressions at doses of 500 mg/kg (P

Chemical profiling of Buddleja globosa was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT/MS) and quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF/MS). The identification of 17 main phenolic compounds in B. globosa leaf extracts was achieved. Along with caffeoyl glucoside isomers, caffeoylshikimic acid and several verbascoside derivatives (β-hydroxyverbascoside and β-hydroxyisoverbascoside) were identified. Among flavonoid compounds, the presence of 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-glucoside was confirmed. Campneoside I, forsythoside B, lipedoside A and forsythoside A were identified along with verbascoside, isoverbascoside, eukovoside and martynoside. The isolation of two bioactive phenolic compounds verbascoside and forsythoside B from Buddleja globosa (Buddlejaceae) was successfully achieved by centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). Both compounds were obtained in one-step using optimized CPC methodology with the two-phase solvent system comprising ethyl acetate-n-butanol-ethanol-water (0.25: 0.75: 0.1: 1, v/v). Additionally, eight Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) were tested for the extraction of polyphenols and compared with 80% methanol. The contents of verbascoside and luteolin 7-O-glucoside after extraction with 80% methanol were 26.165 and 3.206 mg/g, respectively. Among the NADESs tested in this study, proline- citric acid (1:1) and choline chloride-1, 2- propanediol (1:2) were the most promising solvents. With these NADES, extraction yields for verbascoside and luteolin 7-O-glucoside were 51.045 and 4.387 mg/g, respectively. Taken together, the results of this study confirm that CPC enabled the fast isolation of bioactive polyphenols from B. globosa. NADESs displayed higher extraction efficiency of phenolic and therefore could be used as an ecofriendly alternative to classic organic solvents.

Buddleja globosa Hope (Buddlejaceae) is a native species cultivated in Chile, Peru and Argentina. In folk medicine, this plant is frequently used for the treatment of different wounds (internal and external), as well as intestinal and liver diseases. There is growing scientific evidence on the growing conditions for Buddleja globosa and how its cultivation could be optimized. Methods for its vegetative propagation have also been successfully elaborated. The leaves contain phenylpropanoids, iridoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Ethnopharmacological validation studies suggest that phenylpropanoids and flavonoids are the main and most important compounds in defining the therapeutic activity of Buddleja globosa. This chemical composition explains its pharmacological activity as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and, in particular, its wound healing effects. Due to its undeniable potential as a domesticated, cultivated medicinal plant and its remarkable chemical composition, it is still necessary to develop its properly standardized, clinically validated phytopharmaceutical products.

Buddleja cordata is a species used by Mexican folk medicine for treating illnesses related to inflammation such as skin wounds and arthritis. It bio-synthesize metabolite such as verbascoside that contribute to its ethno-therapeutic properties as anti-inflammatory remedy. HPLC analysis showed that the methanolic extract from cell suspension cultures (Bc-Cc) and wild plant leaves (Bc-Wp) contained verbascoside, but concentration was higher in Bc-Cc (87.48 mg/g) than in wild plant (47.34 mg/g). In the acute toxicity model, none of the extracts generated any lethality or adverse effects. In acute inflammation model induced with TPA, Bc-Cc extract showed a greater edema inhibition at 2 mg/ear (61.72%), as well for carrageenan model at 200 mg/kg (48.87%). Bc-Wp showed lesser anti-inflammatory effect in both acute inflammation models than Bc-Cc. For Adjuvant-induced arthritis both extracts at 250 mg/kg generated a moderate inhibition over edema (≈33%) at day 28, and they were statistically no different to phenilbutazone. The culture in suspension of B. cordata obtained by biotechnological process contains greater amount of verbascosido and showed better anti-inflammatory activity; thus, representing a source for obtaining this type of secondary metabolite of pharmacological interest.

In diabetes mellitus, the wound healing process is impaired and delayed. Plants are actively investigated for safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment options for wound. The plant Buddleja polystachya has a traditional claim for the treatment of wound. Fresh leaves are crushed and given for topical application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the wound healing activity of hydro-alcoholic extract and solvent fractions of leaves of B. polystachya fresen (Buddlejaceae) in normal and diabetic mice. Method: B. polystachya leaves were extracted using 80% methanol and further fractionated using chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water. The wound healing activity was tested using excision, incision, and diabetic wound models. Area of wound contraction, time of epithelialization, and wound breaking strength were determined. Result: Treatment with 5% w/w (P

Butterflybush (common name in Brazil, verbasco), Buddleja stachyoides Cham. & Schltdl. (Buddlejaceae), is an erect herb or small shrub, native to Brazil, that is listed both as a folk medicinal plant and as a pasture weed (4). In March 2012, a group of B. stachyoides plants growing in a pasture in Viçosa (state of Minas Gerais, Brazil), were found bearing typical downy mildew symptoms. The only pathogen reported associated with this plant species is Podosphaera xanthii (1) and because there is no record of downy mildew on members of Buddleja in Brazil, an investigation was carried out to clarify the pathogen identity. Diseased plants had lesions on living leaves that were vein-delimited, chlorotic, coalescing, and becoming necrotic adaxially and bearing downy mildew-like colonies over diseased tissues abaxially. The samples were dried in a plant press and a representative specimen was deposited in the local herbarium at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Accession No. VIC 31836). Reproductive structures were scraped from leaves with a scalpel and mounted in lactophenol. Preliminary observations indicated the pathogen as belonging to Peronospora (Peronosporaceae). The pathogen had the following morphology: Sporangiophores are 288 to 641 μm long, dichotomously branching up to seven times, hyaline, smooth, 5 to 16 μm wide at the trunk, branches 63 to 202 μm long; tips subacute, in pairs or rarely single, 5 to 19 μm long; sporangia subglobose to ellipsoidal, 12 to 22 × 11 to 17 μm, pale yellowish brown, non-papillate. Only one species of Peronospora is known to infect members of Buddleja, namely Peronospora hariotii Gäum. (1). Nevertheless, the pathogen on B. stachyoides has smaller sporangia as compared to those of P. hariotii (20 to 26 × 16 to 21 μm) (2) and it was closer to P. sordida (3). DNA of the pathogen from B. stachyoides was extracted and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COX2) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were sequenced. Sequences were deposited in GenBank (COX2 as JX982637; ITS as JX982638). A BLAST search yielded 99% and 100% of maximum identity with P. sordida for COX2 and ITS, respectively. A more detailed phylogenetic study is necessary to clarify the relationship between P. sordida, P. hariotii, and related species causing downy mildew on closely related hosts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. sordida occurring on a member of the genus Buddleja. This is also the first time that P. sordida is reported from South America. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , 19 October 2012. (2) S. M. Francis. C.M.I. Descr. Pathog. Fungi Bact. 767:1, 1983. (3) G. Hall. I.M.I. Descr. Fungi Bact. 1062:1, 1991. (4) K. G. Kissmann and D. Groth. Plantas Infestantes e Nocivas. São Paulo, BASF, 1997.

The Asian species Buddleja davidii Franch. (Buddlejaceae) is a common ornamental plant which escaped from cultivation and is now considered invasive in many European countries. In Croatia it is also grown as ornamental but until now there has been little evidence of its naturalization, although it was marked as naturalized in the Flora Croatica Database. In this article first detailed data on its local naturalization in Croatia are presented: it was discovered in quarries in Smerovišće forming quite big naturalized population, where it presumably originated from planted individual(s). In the future special attention should be paid to this species, and if necessary eradication or containment actions should be promptly carried out., Azijska vrsta Buddleja davidii Franch. (Buddlejaceae) česta je ukrasna biljka koja je pobjegla iz uzgoja te se danas u mnogim europskim zemljama smatra invazivnom. U Hrvatskoj se također uzgaja kao ukrasna biljka, ali do sada nije bilo preciznih podataka o njezinoj naturalizaciji, iako je označena kao naturalizirana u bazi podataka Flora Croatica. U ovom članku predstavljeni su prvi detaljniji podatci o njezinoj lokalnoj naturalizaciji u Hrvatskoj: otkrivena je u kamenolomima u Smerovišću gdje ima veliku naturaliziranu populaciju koja vjerojatno potječe od posađenih jedinki. U budućnosti je potrebno obratiti posebnu pažnju na ovu vrstu i, ako će biti potrebno, provesti akcije iskorjenjivanja ili sprječavanja širenja.

Orientadora : Profa. Dra. Marilis Dallarmi Miguel Coorientador : Prof. Dr. Obdulio Gomes Miguel e Profa.Dra. Deise Prehs Montrucchio Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas. Defesa: Curitiba, 09/06/2017 Inclui referências : f. 118-133 Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar isolamento de compostos e avaliação do potencial biológico e farmacológico da espécie Buddleja stachyoides Cham. & Schltdl. (Scrophulariaceae), conhecida popularmente como verbasco ou barbasco, encontrada, principalmente, na região sul do Brasil, é usada na medicina tradicional como anti-hemorroidal, antitussígena, analgésica, sudorífera, emoliente e antireumática. Foram isolados compostos das frações hexânica das raízes e acetato de etila das partes aéreas. O método analítico de quantificação do marcador verbascosídeo foi validado, utilizando-se o extrato bruto das partes aéreas. As atividades larvicida sobre Aedes aegypti e alelopática sobre a germinação e crescimento de Lactuca sativa L. e Allium cepa L. foram avaliadas com extratos brutos e frações das partes aéreas e raízes. O potencial antioxidante dos extratos brutos foi avaliado através dos ensaios de captura dos ânions superóxido e óxido nítrico. As atividades farmacológicas antinociceptiva, anti-inflamatória, gastroprotetora, motilidade gastrointestinal e a toxicidade subcrônica foram avaliadas com o extrato bruto das partes aéreas em camundongos Swiss. O composto isolado da fração hexânica das raízes foi identificado como ácido triacontanoico e a mistura de isômeros isolada da fração acetato de etila das partes aéreas foi identificado como martinosídeo (trans e cis). Os extratos brutos das partes aéreas e raízes foram capazes de capturar o ânion superóxido e mais eficazes na inibição do radical óxido nítrico do que o padrão ácido gálico. Algumas frações e extratos brutos apresentaram efeitos inibitórios e estimulantes na germinação e crescimento de Lactuca sativa L. e Allium cepa L. e toxicidade sobre as larvas de Aedes aegypti. O extrato bruto das partes aéreas, nas doses de 600 e 900 mg/kg, apresentou efeito anti-inflamatório em 3 e 4 horas no teste de edema de pata induzido por carragenina e diminuição da migração de leucócitos na cavidade peritonial no teste de peritonite induzida por carragenina. Nos testes antinociceptivos, formalina e ácido acético, o extrato bruto apresentou potencial analgésico nas doses de 600 e 900 mg/kg e demonstrou significativo efeito protetor sobre a úlcera gástrica induzida por etanol acidificado. Não teve ação sobre a motilidade gastrointestinal. O extrato na dose de 900 mg/kg apresentou baixa toxicidade no teste subcrônico avaliado em camundongos fêmeas. Estes efeitos podem estar relacionados aos compostos fenilpropanoides, que possuem propriedades antioxidantes e são capazes de inibir enzimas e mediadores inflamatórios. Devido ao potencial farmacológico e antioxidante observado para a espécie Buddleja stachyoides Cham. & Schltdl, torna-se interessante a realização de testes para comprovar sua segurança e eficácia, para futuro desenvolvimento de um fitoterápico. Palavras-chave: Aedes aegypti. Antioxidante. Anti-inflamatório. Antinociceptivo. Gastroprotetor. Motilidade gastrointestinal. Abstract: The objective of this work was to isolate compounds and evaluate the biological and pharmacological potential of Buddleja stachyoides Cham. & Schlitdl. (Scrophulariaceae), popularly known as mullein or barbasco, found mainly in southern Brazil, is used in traditional medicine as anti-hemorrhoidal, antitussive, analgesic, sudorific, emollient and antirheumatic. Compounds of the hexane fractions of the roots and ethyl acetate of the aerial parts were isolated. The analytical method of quantification of the verbascoside marker was validated, using the crude extract of the aerial parts. The larvicidal activities against Aedes aegypti and allelopathic on the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa L. and Allium cepa L. were evaluated with crude extracts and fractions of the aerial parts and roots. The antioxidant potential of the crude extracts was evaluated through the superoxide anion and nitric oxide capture assays. The antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, gastrointestinal motile and subchronic toxicity activities were evaluated with the crude extract of the aerial parts in Swiss mice. The compound isolated from the hexane fraction of the roots was identified as triacontanoic acid and the mixture of isomers isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the aerial parts was identified as martynoside (trans and cis). The crude extracts of the aerial parts and roots were able to capture the superoxide anion and more effective in inhibiting the nitric oxide radical than the standard gallic acid. Some crude fractions and extracts had inhibitory and stimulating effects on the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa L. and Allium cepa L. and toxicity against Aedes aegypti larvae. The crude extract of the aerial parts, at doses of 600 and 900 mg/kg, showed anti-inflammatory effect in 3 and 4 hours in the paw edema test induced by carrageenan and decreased leukocyte migration in the peritoneal cavity in the induced peritonitis test by carrageenan. In the antinociceptive, formalin and acetic acid tests, crude extract showed analgesic potential at doses of 600 and 900 mg/kg and showed a significant protective effect on gastric ulcers induced by acidified ethanol. It had no action on gastrointestinal motility. The extract at the dose of 900 mg/kg showed low toxicity in the subchronic test evaluated in female mice. These effects may be related to phenylpropanoid compounds, which have antioxidant properties and are capable of inhibiting inflammatory enzymes and mediators. Due to the pharmacological and antioxidant potential observed for the species Buddleja stachyoides Cham. & Schltdl, it is interesting to carry out tests to prove its safety and efficacy, for the future development of a herbal medicine. Key-words: Aedes aegypti. Antioxidant. Anti-inflammatory. Antinociceptive. Gastroprotective. Gastrointestinal motility.

Th is part of the series of articles on the herbarium of Endre Jeney is devoted to the families Cornaceae, Oleaceae, Buddlejaceae, Gentianaceae, Menyanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Cuscutaceae, Convolvulaceae, Boraginaceae and Verbenaceae. Th e revision encompasses 538 specimens representing 88 taxa from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Background Buddleja crispa Benth (Buddlejaceae) is a dense shrub; several species of genus Buddleja have been used in the management of various health conditions including pain and inflammation. The present study was aimed to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties of B. crispa. Methods Male rats (220–270 gm,) and mice (25–30 gm) were randomly divided into different groups (n = 6). Various doses of plant extract of B. crispa, its fractions and pure compounds isolated from the plant were administered intraperitoneally (i.p). The analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activities were assessed using acetic acid and formalin-induced nociception in mice, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and arachidonic acid-induced platelets aggregation tests. Results The intraperitoneal administration of the methanolic extract (50 and 100 mg/kg), hexane fraction (10 and 25 mg/kg i.p) exhibited significant inhibition (P

In Cote d’Ivoire, Nuxia congesta (Buddlejaceae) was known only on some highest peaks of the country (Mounts Tonkpi and Boho) until 2006. Recent studies conducted from January to June 2007 and in 2008 identified two new locations in the region of Marahoue (department of Bouafle), relatively far from the previously known ones and confirmed the disappearance of the species in Mounts Tonkpi and Boho. The distribution of this species was mapped and some ecological characteristics observed in those different locations were specified. The conservation status of the species was also assessed and discussed on the basis of the threats that its habitats were liable to, using the criteria of the IUCN Red List. The species can be characterized as rare in Cote d’Ivoire.

In this work, we revise the taxonomy of Buddleja in Brazil. This genus has 16 native and two introduced cultivated and adventitious species in the country. We present here descriptions, distribution and habitat information, flowering and fruiting periods, taxonomic remarks, photographs and propose a conservation status for each species.

Six new sesquiterpenes, 2,6(12),10-humulatrien-7 β-ol-1-one ( 1), 2 α-acetoxy-5 α-methoxy-enantio-caryophylla-8(15)-en-3-one ( 2), 2 α-acetoxy-5 α-hydroxy-enantio-caryophylla-8(15)-en-3-one ( 3), 2 α-acetoxy-4 β,5 α-hydroxy-enantio-caryophylla-8(15)-en-3-one ( 4), 2 α-acetoxy-4 β,5 β-hydroxy-enantio-caryophylla-8(15)-en-3-one ( 5), 2 β-acetoxy-4-caryophyllen-8 β-ol-3-one ( 6), and nineteen known compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of BUDDLEJA DAVIDDI. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 8- 11, 14, 16, 17, and 20 showed significant immunosuppressive activities, and 8- 11 and 14 were cytotoxic on HeLa and L929 cell lines.

Chemical investigation of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Buddleja asiatica resulted in the isolation of a new iridoid glycoside, buddlejasiaside A (1) and 11 known compounds: 6- O -[α-L-(4-isoferuloyl)-rhamnopyranosylcatalpol (2), specioside (3), verminoside (4), minecoside (5), 6- O -( p -hydroxybenzoyl)-ajugol (6), 6- O -caffeoyl ajugol (7), litanthosalin 8), eurostoside (9), 10- O -caffeoylaucubin (10), phlorizin (11), and garashangin (12). Their chemical structures were identified based on the MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses and comparing with the data reported in the literature. Compounds 1, 2, and 8-10 showed the modest inhibitory effects against nitrite production in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia, with IC50 values ranging from 43.5-79.6 μM. Compounds 6, 7, and 11 protected HT22 hippocampal cells from glutamate-induced cell death, with EC50 values of 38.9, 14.8, and 27.1 μM, respectively.

Phytochemical investigations on the n-BuOH-soluble fraction of the whole plant of Buddleja davidii led to the isolation of the phenylpropanoid glycosides 1-10. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. All the compounds showed potent antioxidative activity in three different tests, with IC(50) values in the range 4.15-9.47 microM in the hydroxyl radical ( OH) inhibitory activity test, 40.32-81.15 microM in the total ROS (reactive oxygen species) inhibitory activity test, and 2.26-7.79 microM in the peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) scavenging activity test. Calceolarioside A (1) displayed the strongest scavenging potential with IC(50) values of (4.15 +/- 0.07, 40.32 +/- 0.09, 2.26 +/- 0.03 microM) for OH, total ROS and scavenging of ONOO(-), respectively.

Buddleja macrostachya (Buddlejaceae) is a widespread shrub native to the Sino-Himalayan mountains and beyond. It has been found to occur at two ploidy levels, hexaploid, 2n=6x=114 and dodecaploid, 2n=12x=228. To determine if morphological characters might be used as indicators of ploidy levels, we measured floral and fruit length, relative and absolute leaf size, trichome density on both leaf surfaces, and stomatal density and length in different populations of B. macrostachya. In general, flower and fruit length, absolute leaf size, and stomatal length increased with an increase at ploidy level (P 0.05) in different populations. Other characters studied such as trichome type, cuticular membrane and ornamentation of stomata, cell and stomatal shape, and anticlinal wall pattern were quite constant in this species. Thus it appears that flower and fruit length, absolute leaf size, and stomatal frequency and length can be used to distinguish hexaploid from dodecaploid cytotypes either in the field or in herbarium specimens.

Nine compounds, including six phenylethanoid glycosides: acteoside (1); bioside (2); echinacoside (3); poliumoside (4); phenylethyl glycoside (5); salidroside (6) and three flavonoids; linarin (7); apigenin (8); isorhoifolin (9), were isolated from the flowers of Buddleja officinalis MAXIM. (Buddlejaceae). Chemical structures were confirmed by (1)H-, and (13)C-NMR, and MS spectral methods and compared with those reported in the literature. Antioxidant activities of the methanol and water extracts, and all isolated compounds were evaluated using the total oxidant scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay against peroxynitrite. Results of the assay showed that the phenylethanoid glycosides, a major class of compounds of the flowers of B. officinalis, possess strong antioxidant activity. Of these, acteoside, echinacoside and poliumoside have 9.9-, 9.8- and 9.5-fold TOSC value, respectively, compared with the positive control, Trolox.

International audience; Aim of the study Nine plants from Reunion Island, selected using ethnopharmacology and chemotaxonomy, were investigated for their potential antimalarial value. Materials and methods Thirty-eight extracts were prepared by maceration using CH2Cl2 and MeOH, and were tested for in vitro activity against the 3D7 and W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The most active extracts were then tested for in vitro cytotoxicity on human WI-38 fibroblasts to determine the selectivity index. Those extracts were also investigated in vivo against Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Results Most active of the extracts tested were the dichloromethane leaves extracts of Nuxia verticillata Lam. (Buddlejaceae), Psiadia arguta Voigt. (Asteraceae), Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), the methanol extracts from Aphloia theiformis (Vahl) Benn. (Aphloiaceae) bark, and Terminalia bentzoe L. (Combretaceae) leaves displaying in vitro IC50 values ranging from 5.7 to 14.1 μg/ml. Extracts from Psiadia, Aphloia at 200 mg/(kg day) and Teminalia at 50 mg/(kg day) also exhibited significant (p \textless 0.0005) parasite inhibition in mice: 75.5%, 65.6% and 83.5%, respectively. Conclusion Two plants showed interesting antimalarial activity with good selectivity: Aphloia theiformis and Terminalia bentzoe. Nuxia verticillata still needs to be tested in vivo, with a new batch of plant material.