Review Article

Exploring Antimalarial Herbal Plants across Communities in Uganda Based on Electronic Data

Table 3

Antiplasmodial/antimalarial activities of investigated plants used for malaria treatment in Uganda and their active chemical constituents.

Plant familyScientific namePart usedExtracting solventMeans of traditional extractionReport on antiplasmodial, IC50 (μg/ml)/antimalarial activity (Plasmodium strain)Active chemical constituentsReference(s)

AcanthaceaeJusticia betonica L.ShootMethanolHot water69.6 (chloroquine sensitive, K39)Justetonin (indole(3,2-b) quinoline alkaloid glycoside)[20]
Water>100 (chloroquine sensitive, K39)
AloeaceaeAloe dawei A. Berger (wild/cultivated)LeavesEtherCold water; mashing; hot waterExtract had anti-P. falciparum activity value of 7.97 (95% CI: 3.56 to 17.85) μg/ml with 50% schizonts suppression per 200 WBC (EC50)Anthraquinones, aloin, lectins,[19, 45]
Aloe kedongensis (wild)LeavesMethanolHot water87.7 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 67.8 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Anthrone, C-glucoside homonataloin, anthraquinones, aloin, lectins[19, 46]
Aloe ferox MillLeavesDichloromethaneWater21 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)Mannans, polymannans, anthraquinones, aloin, lectins, anthrones[19, 31, 47]
Water>100 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)
AnacardiaceaeMangifera indica L.LeavesChloroform:Methanol (1 : 1)Hot waterInhibited growth of P. falciparum by 50.4% at 20 μg/mlPhenolics[48, 49]
Stem barkEthanol>50 (chloroquine resistant, FcB1)
Rhus natalensis Bernh. Ex KraussLeavesEthanolHot water6.6 (P. falciparum)Triterpenoids[24]
ApiaceaeCentella asiatica (L.) Urb.Whole plantWaterWater58.6 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); not detected (chloroquine resistant, W2)Phenolics and flavonoids[50]
ApocynaceaeAlstonia boonei De Wild.Stem barkWaterHot water80.97% suppressive activity at 200 mg/kg (P. berghei) in combination with other two local herbs.Alkaloids, triterpenoids[51]
Carissa edulis (Forssk.) VahlStem barkDichloromethaneMashing; hot water33 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)Lignan, nortrachelogenin[52]
Carissa spinarum Lodd. ex A. DC.Root barkMethanolHot water14.5 (chloroquine sensitive, D6)Saponins, sesquiterpenes[53]
Catharanthus roseus G. DonLeavesMethanolHot water4.6 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 5.3 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, esquiterpenes[54]
AristolochiaceaeAristolochia elegans Mast.SeedsMethanolWater>50 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); undetectable (chloroquine resistant, W2)Sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, monoterpenoids, alkaloids[19, 55]
AsphodelaceaeAloe vera (L.) Burm. f.LeavesWaterCold water; mashing; hot waterAntiplasmodial activity in terms of EC50 values 0.289 to 1.056 μg/ml (chloroquine sensitive)Aloin, anthraquinones, aloe-emodin[56]
AsteraceaeAgeratum conyzoides L.Whole plantMethanolHot water11.5 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 12.1 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Flavonoids[54]
Artemisia annua L.LeavesWaterHot water1.1 (chloroquine sensitive, D10); 0.9 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene lactones including artemisinin, flavonoids such as chrysoplenol-D, eupatorin, chyrsoplenetin[19, 57]
Artemisia afra Jacq. Ex WilldLeavesMethanolHot water9.1 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 3.9 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Acacetin, genkwanin, 7-methoxyacacetin[54]
Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. AdamsLeavesEthanolHot waterSignificant chemo suppressive effect of 92.23% (400 mg/kg) on P. bergheiSaponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, resins, tannins, flavonoids, sterols[19, 58]
Baccharoides adoensis (Sch. Bip. ex Walp.) H. Rob.LeavesPetroleum etherHot water4.6 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Flavonoids[26]
Aspilia africana L.LeavesDichloromethaneHot water; mashing8.5 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)Flavonoids including quercetin 3,3′-dimethyl ether 7-0-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 ⟶ 6)-β-D-glucopyranose and quercetin 3,3′-dimethyl ether 7-0-β-D-glucopyranose[52]
Bothriocline longipes N. E. Br.LeavesChloroformHot water3.7 (P. falciparum)5-alkylcoumarins,[19, 24]
Ethanol50 (P. falciparum)
Crassocephalum vitellinumLeavesEthyl acetateHot water40.6% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/mlFlavonoids[32]
Guizotia scabra Chiov.Whole plantCrude ethanolHot water49.09% growth inhibition at 100 μg/ml (chloroquine resistant, Dd2)Lactones, eudesmanoline[59]
Melanthera scandens (Schumach. & Thonn.) RobertyLeavesChloroformHot water68.83% chemo suppression activity (P. berghei)Triterpenoid saponins[60]
Microglossa pyrifolia (Lam.)O. KtzeLeavesHot water<5 (both chloroquine sensitive, NF54 and resistant, FCR3)E-phytol; 6e-geranylgeraniol-19-oic acid[2, 28]
Schkuhria pinnata (lam.)Whole plantWaterHot water22.5 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 51.8 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Schkuhrin I and schkuhrin II[54]
Methanol1.3 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 6.8 (chloroquine resistant, W2)
Solanecio mannii (Hook. f.) C. JeffreyLeavesMethanolWater21.6 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 26.2 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Phytosterols, n-alkanes and N-hexacosanol,[19, 55]
Tagetes minuta L.LeavesEthyl acetateWater61.0% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/ml[32]
Tithonia diversifolia A. GrayLeavesMethanolWater1.2 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 1.5 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Tagitinin C, sesquiterpene lactones[55]
Vernonia adoensis Sch. Bip. ex Walp.LeavesMethanolHot water83.4% inhibition of parasitaemia, at 600 mg/kg (P. berghei)Glycocides, glaucolides[19, 61]
Vernonia amygdalina DelileLeavesMethanol/dichloromethaneHot water; cold water2.7 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Coumarin, sesquiterpene lactones including vernolepin, vernolin, vernolide, vernodalin and hydroxyvernodalin, steroid glucosides[19, 26]
Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.Whole plantWaterHot water>50 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 37.2 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Sesquiterpene lactone[62]
Vernonia lasiopus O. Hoffm.LeavesMethanolMashing; hot water44.3 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 52.4 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccarides[19, 54]
BignoniaceaeMarkhamia lutea (Benth.) K. Schum.LeavesEthyl acetateHot water71% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/mlPhenylpropanoid glycosides, cycloartane triterpenoids[32]
Spathodea campanulata Buch.-Harm. ex DC.Stem barkEthyl acetateWater28.9% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/mlQuinone (lapachol)[32]
CaesalpiniaceaeCassia didymobotrya Fres.LeavesMethanolHot water23.4 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); undetectable (chloroquine resistant, W2)Alkaloids[54]
Erythrophleum pyrifoliaLeavesEthanolHot water>50 (P. falciparum)[24]
Senna spectabilis (DC.) H. S. Irwin & BarnebyLeavesEthanolWater59.29% growth inhibition at 100 mg/kg body weight dose (P. berghei)Piperidine alkaloids[63]
CaesalpinioideaeCassia hirsutaRoot backMethanolWater32.0 (chloroquine sensitive 3D7)[64]
CanelliaceaeWarbugia ugandensis SpragueStem backMethanolHot water6.4 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 6.9 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Sesquiterpenes e.g. muzigadiolide[27, 54]
Water12.9 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 15.6 (chloroquine resistant, W2)
CaricaceaeCarica papaya L.LeavesEthyl acetateHot water2.96 (chloroquine sensitive, D10); 3.98 (chloroquine resistant, DD2)Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides[65]
Methanol10.8 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)
CelastraceaeMaytenus senegalensisRootsHot water1.9 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 2.4 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Terpenoids, pentacyclic triterpenes e.g. pristimerin[66]
ChenopodiaceaeChenopodium ambrosioides L.LeavesCrude hydroalcoholic extractHot waterInhibited the P. falciparum growth, exhibiting an IC50 of 25.4 μg/mlSesquiterpenes, monoterpenes[67]
CombretaceaeCombretum molle G. DonStem backAcetoneWater8.2 (chloroquine sensitive 3D7)Phenolics, punicalagin[68]
CucurbitaceaeCucurbita maxima Lam.SeedsCrude ethanolHot water50% reduction of parasitaemia levels in P. berghei infected mice at 500 mg/kg.Phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins[69]
Momordica foetida Schumach.ShootWaterHot water6.16 (chloroquine sensitive, NF54); 0.35 (chloroquine resistant, FCR3)Saponins, alkaloid, cardiac glycosides[28]
EbenaceaeEuclea latideus StaffRoot backHexaneWater38.2 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 38.9 (chloroquine resistant, Dd2)Triterpenoids lupeol, betulin, 3β-(5-hydroxyferuloyl)lup-20(30)-ene[23]
EuphorbiaceaeAlchornea cordifolia (Schumach.) Mull. Arg.LeavesWaterHot water4.8 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Phenolics including ellagic acid[70]
Bridelia micrantha Baill.Stem barkMethanolHot water19.4 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 14.2 (chloroquine resistant, W2)[50]
Clutia abyssinica Jaub. & SpachLeavesMethanolWater7.8 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 11.3 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Diterpenes[54]
Croton macrostachyus Olive.LeavesChloroformHot waterChemotherapeutic effect of 66–82% in malaria mouse modelTriterpenoids including lupeol[71]
Fluegea virosa (Roxb. ExWillb.)VoigtLeavesWater/methanolHot water2 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Bergenin[72]
Jatropha curcas L.LeavesEthyl acetateHot water5.1 (chloroquine sensitive, NF54); 2.4 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Alkaloids, saponnins, glycosides, tannins[73]
Phyllanthus (pseudo) niruri Mull. Arg.WaterHot waterRanged from 2.9 to 4.1 (both chloroquine sensitive, 3D7 and resistant, Dd2)Coumarins including 1-O-galloyl-6-O-luteoyl-a-D-glucose[74]
FabaceaeCajanus cajan (L.) DruseLeavesCrude ethanolMashing29.0 (P. falciparum)Cajachalcone;[75]
Entada abyssinica Steud. ex A. Rich.SeedsMethanolHot water>5 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Flavonoids, terpenoids[26, 32]
Entada africana Guill. & Perr.LeavesEthanolHot water26.4 (chloroquine sensitive, HB3); 28.9 (chloroquine resistant, FcM29)Phenolics[76]
Erythrina abyssinica Lam.Stem barkEthyl acetateHot water83.6% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/mlChalcones (5-prenylbutein, homobutein), flavanones including 5-deoxyabyssinin II, abyssinin III and abyssinone IV[32]
Indigofera emerginella Steud. ex A. RichLeavesEthanolHot water5.8 (P. falciparum)[24]
Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) H. S. Irwin & BarnebyLeavesMethanolHot water>100 (chloroquine sensitive, K39)Quinones[20, 29]
Senna siamea (Lam.) H. S. Irwin & BarnebyLeavesEthanolMashing; hot water28.8 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 48.3 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Phenolic derivative, chrobisiamone a, anhydrobarakol[77]
Tamarindus indica L.Stem barkWaterHot water25.1% chemo suppressive activity at 10 mg/kg (P. berghei)Saponins (leaves), tannins (fruits)[78]
FlacourtiaceaeTrimeria bakeri Gilg.LeavesPetroleum etherHot water3.9 (P. falciparum)Triterpenoids[24]
HypericaceaeHarungana madagascariensis Lam.Stem barkWaterHot water9.64 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Quinones including bazouanthrone, feruginin a, harunganin, harunganol a[70]
LamiaceaeAjuga remota Benth.Whole plantEthanolHot water55 (chloroquine sensitive, FCA/GHA); 57 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Ajugarin-1, ergosterol-5,8-endoperoxide, 8-O-acetylharpagide, steroids[79]
Clerodendrum myricoides R. Br.Root barkMethanolHot water4.7 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 8.3 (chloroquine resistant, W2)[50, 80]
Clerodendrum rotundifolium Oliv.LeavesMethanolMashing; hot water<5 (both chloroquine sensitive, NF54 and resistant, FCR3)Saponins, tannins[28]
Hoslundia opposita Vahl.LeavesEthyl acetateHot water66.2% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/mlQuinones, saponins, abietane diterpenes (3-O-benzoylhosloppone)[32]
Leonotis nepetifolia Schimp. exBenthLeavesEthyl acetateWater27.0% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/ml[32]
Ocimum basilicumLeavesEthanolHot water68.14 (chloroquine sensitive, CQ-s); 67.27 (chloroquine resistant, CQ-r)[50, 80]
Ocimum gratissimum Willd.Leaves/twigsDichloromethaneHot water8.6 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Flavonoids[47, 49]
Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst.LeavesWaterWaterSignificantly suppressed parasitaemia, 22.2%, 26.8% and 35.5% at dose of 200, 400 and 600 mg·kg, respectively (P. berghei)[81]
Plectranthus barbatusLeaves/stemDichloromethaneHot waterNo activity[23, 47]
Rosmarinus officinalis L.Hot waterEssential oil at a concentration 15867 ng/ml had no antimalarial activity[82]
Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) CoddRootHot water13.2 (chloroquine-sensitive, NF54)[83]
LauranceaePersea americana Mill.LeavesEthanolHot water10.15 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 44.94 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Phenolics[84]
MeliaceaeAzadirachta indica A. Juss.LeavesHot water17.9 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 43.7 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Terpenoids, isoprenoids, gedunin[49, 66]
Melia azedarachLeavesMethanolHot water55.1 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 19.1 (chloroquine resistant, W2)[85]
MenispermaceaeCissampelos mucronata A. Rich.Root barkMethanolHot water8.8 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 9.2 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids[80]
MimosaceaeAcacia niloticaStem barkMethanolHot waterDose of 100 mg/kg b/w produced parasitic (P. berghei) inhibition 77.7%Tannins, flavonoids, terpenes[86]
Albizia coriaria Welw.Stem barkMethanolHot water15.2 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 16.8 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Triterpenoids, lupeol, lupenone[54]
Albizia grandibracteata TaubeLeavesEthyl acetateHot water22.0% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/ml[32]
Albizia zygia (DC.) Macbr.Stem barkMethanolWater1.0 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Flavonoids mainly 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavone[87]
MoraceaeAntiaris toxicaria Lesch.Stem barkEthyl acetateHot water36.4% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/ml[32]
Ficus natalensis HochstLeavesHexaneHot water6.7 (P. falciparum)[88]
Milicia excels (Welw.) C. C. Berg.LeavesEthanolHot water76.7% chemo suppressive activity at 250 mg/kg/day (P. berghei)[89]
MoringaceaeMoringa oleifera LamLeavesMethanolMashing; hot water9.8 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); not detected (chloroquine resistant, W2)Flavonols[49, 80]
MusaceaeMusa paradisiaca (NC)LeavesEthyl acetateHot water75 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 100 (chloroquine resistant, Dd2)Flavonoids[49, 90]
MyristicaceaePycnanthus angolensis (Welw.)Warb.Leaves50% ethanolHot water>1000 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7)Talaumidin[91]
MyrsinaceaeMaesa lanceolata Forssk.TwigDichloromethane:Methanol (1 : 1)Hot water5.9 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)Lanciaquinones, 2,5, dihydroxy-3-(nonadec-14-enyl)-1,4-benzoquinone[24, 52, 55]
MyrtaceaePsidium guajava L.Stem backWaterHot water10–20 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)Phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids[49, 92]
Syzygium cordatum Hochst.TwigDichloromethane:Methanol (1 : 1)Hot water14.7 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)[55]
Syzygium cumini (L.) SkeelsStem backHot water0.25 to 27.1 (chloroquine-resistant strains)[93]
Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC.LeavesCrude ethanolHot water49.09% chemo suppression at 400 mg/kg (P. berghei)[94]
PoaceaeCymbopogon citratus Stapf.Whole plantHot water99.89% suppression of parasitaemia at 1600 mg/kgFlavonoids[20, 49, 95]
Zea mays L.HusksEthyl acetateHot water9.3 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 3.7 (chloroquine resistant, INDO)Alkaloids, flavonoids and triterpenoids[96]
PolygalaceaeSecuridaca longipedunculata Fresen.LeavesDichloromethaneHot water6.9 (chloroquine sensitive, D10)Saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids[92]
RosaceaePrunus africana (Hook. f.) KalkmanStem barkMethanolHot water17.3 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); not detected (chloroquine resistant, W2)Terpenoids[54]
RubiaceaeHallea rubrostipulata (K. Schum.) J.-F. LeroyRootEthanolWater100 μg/ml extract had 65.54% growth inhibition (chloroquine resistant, Dd2)Alkaloids[59]
Pentas longiflora Oliv.RootMethanolHot water0.99 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 0.93 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Pyranonaphthoquinones, pentalongin (1) and psychorubrin (2), naphthalene derivative mollugin (3)[97]
RutaceaeCitrus reticulataSeeds (isolimonexic acid methyl ether)Hot water<4.76 (both chloroquine sensitive, D6 and resistant, W2)Limonin, isolimonexic acid methyl ether, ichangin, deacetylnomilin, obacunone[98]
Citrus sinensis70% ethanolHot water53.27% suppression of parasitaemia at 700 mg/kgTannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids[20, 24, 99]
Teclea nobilis DelileBarkEthyl acetateWater54.7% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/mlQuinonline alkaloids[32]
Toddalia asiatica Baill.Root barkMethanolWater6.8 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 13.9 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Furoquinolines (nitidine, 5,6-dihydronitidine), coumarins[80]
Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl.Stem barkWaterHot water4.3 (chloroquine sensitive, NF54); 25.1 (chloroquine resistant, FCR3)Chelerythine, nitidine, methyl canadine[28]
SalicaceaeTrimeria grandifolia ssp. tropica (Hochst.) Warb.LeavesMethanolHot water>50 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7)[55]
SapindaceaeBlighia unijugata BakerLeavesEthyl acetateHot water2.3% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/ml[32]
SimaroubaceaeHarrisonia abyssinica Olive.RootsHot water4.4 (chloroquine sensitive, D6); 10.25 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Limonoids, steroids[66]
SolanaceaeSolanum nigrum L.FruitMethanolHot water10.3 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 18.7 (chloroquine resistant, K1)Steroidal alkaloids, flavonoids[100]
UlmaceaeCeltis africana L.Stem barkEthyl acetateHot water37.5% inhibition of P. falciparum at 10 μg/ml[32]
VerbenaceaeLantana camaraLeavesDichloromethaneHot water8.7 (chloroquine sensitive, 3D7); 5.7 (chloroquine resistant, W2)Sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, flavonoids[30]
Lantana trifolia L.Arial partsPetroleum etherHot water13.2 (P. falciparum)Steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins[24]
Ethanol>50 (P. falciparum)
ZingiberaceaeCurcuma longa L.Hot water; mashing5 mg/kg had a significantly high chemo suppressive activity of 56.8% (P. berghei)Polyphenolic curcumin[101]