Antimalaria activity of ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit.

The in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera used as spice and in the treatment of various ailment in Niger Delta region of Nigeria was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Tetrapleura tetraptera (300-900 mg/kg day) exhibited significant (P < 0.05) blood schizonticidal activity both in 4-day early infection test and in established infection with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg day. The fruit extract possesses significant (P < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity with may have contributed to the immune status of the Nigerians against malaria in addition to its nutritive value.