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Evaluation of Antimalarial Herbal Drugs

Malaria is an acute usually chronic disease caused by Plasmodium and transmitted through female Anopheles mosquito. The disease is frequent in tribal and rural areas. Although a number of synthetic medicines have been used for the treatment of malaria, but they have adverse effects and their high cost is beyond the reach of common people. It is, therefore, worthwhile to look towards antimalarial herbal drugs. Obviously, herbal drugs are cheaper, easily available and with no fear of any side effects. 

SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION OF ANTIMALARIAL
HERBS USED IN TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

 

 Dwivedi S. N.¹*, Dwivedi Abhishek², Dwivedi Sumeet³ and Kaul Shefali⁴

 

1, Principal Investigator, UGC Research Project on Medicinal Plants , Department of Botany, Janata PG College, APS University, Rewa- 486002, Madhya Pradesh, India

       2, NRI Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

       3, Chordia Institute of Pharmacy, Indore-452010, Madhya Pradesh, India

       4, QC Deptt. Plethico Pvt. Ltd., Indore-452010, Madhya Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT

          Malaria is an acute usually chronic disease caused by Plasmodium and transmitted through female Anopheles mosquito. The disease is frequent in tribal and rural areas. Although a number of synthetic medicines have been used for the treatment of malaria, but they have adverse effects and their high cost is beyond the reach of common people. It is, therefore, worthwhile to look towards antimalarial herbal drugs. Obviously, herbal drugs are cheaper, easily available and with no fear of any side effects. The present review is focused on medicinal plants having antimalarial activities and used by the natives of our country for the treatment of malaria.

Complete file in pdf version is available in Farmavita.Net Repository .  

 

Keywords : Antimalarial, Herbal drugs, Synthetic medicines, Medicinal plants, Natives.

*Correspondent Author Address
14/473, Near Samiti Office
Sanjay Nagar
Rewa- 486 001, Madhya Pradesh, India
Mob No.: 09993218521, 09893478497
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INTRODUCTION

         Malaria is caused by four species of protozoal parasite Plasmodium, is endemic most part of India and other tropical countries. The disease is characterized by intermittent fever, chill and raise of temperature. Parasites obtain their food material by liver and RBCS and formed a brown substance called haemozoin, which is a toxic substance. It mixed with the plasma of blood and causes malarial fever. The patients become pale, anemic and weak. Liver and spleen enlargement, diarrhoea and vomiting have also been observed in some cases  

         Malaria is one of the major health problems. As per WHO estimates there are 300- 500 millions cases globally and 1.5- 2.7 millions death occur due to malaria each year, 90% of which are in Afria. In India the National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) was started in 1950, achieving near complete disappearance of the disease in 1960s (from 75 millions in 1950 to 0.1 million in 1960). However, due to development of insecticide resistance mosquitoes and other factors, it stages a comeback in the mid 1970s (96.47 millions in 1976) and continues to prevail in endemic/ sub endemic proportions in different areas, conceding that eradication of malaria is not possible. NMEP has been renamed National Antimalarial Programme (NAMP).  In 2001 NAMP has reported 72 millions malaria cases, out of which 48% were due to P. falciparum. WHO estimates that actual number of malaria cases in India is 6 times more, i.e. 12-15 millions.  

         The bark of Cinchona tree growing mostly in Peru was introduced in Europe in the early 17 th century as cure for fever. Later it was realized to be a specific remedy for malaria. Quinine, isolated from Cinchona bark in 1920, replaced the crude preparation and continued to be the major antimalarial drug till 1942. Due to enormous military importance of malaria and its treatment, intense activity was initiated for the development of antimalarial drugs.  Chloroquine was produced in USA soon after as a less toxic alternative to Mepacarine. It had already been synthesized and used by Germans in 1934 as Resochin. The Britishers introduced Chloroguanide in 1945.

          None of above drugs was found to be capable of preventing in vivax malaria. However, no attention was paid to it because of its poor schizontocide action. This class of drug was retested during World War II as radical curative and Primaquine emerged as the most desirable drug. The only important additions of the recent years are Mefloquine, Atovaquone and Artemisinin for resistant falciparum malaria. However, these drugs have adverse effect on our body system. Seeing the harmful effect of synthetic antimalarial drugs, herbal drugs have been preferred to cure the malaria. The aim of using these drugs in relation to malarial infection are :  

• To prevent and treat clinical attack of malaria without any side effects.
• To completely eradicate the parasite from the patient’s body.
• To reduce the human reservoir of infection, cut down transmission to mosquitoes.
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MEDICINAL PLANTS USED TO CURE MALARIA

          The plants prove to possess antimalarial property are:

Acorus calamus Linn. (Araceae) ‘Bach’

          It is a marshy, rhizomatous, perennial, wild herb, also cultivated in many part of India. Dried rhizome contain a yellow aromatic volatile essential oil having calamen, clamenol, calameon and asarone (Chopra et al, 2002) and used as carminative, stomachache, febrifuge, anti- flatulence, antibacterial and insecticidal agent (Kapoor, 1990). Moreover, the rhizome oil shows marked sedative and analgesic properties and the plant parts possess antimicrobial and antifungal activity (Asolkar et al, 1992). The rhizome extract (2TSF BD X 3days) bringing down temperature of malarial fever by inducing copious perspiration (Dwivedi, 2006).

Andrographis paniculata (Brum. f.) Wall. ex Nees. (Acanthaceae)  ‘Kalmegh’

          An annual, erect, quadrangular herb, often cultivated for medicinal value. The plant is febrifuge, anathelmintic, stomachic and bitter tonic and commonly used as a liver stimulant (Kapoor, 1990). Bitter principle is due to presence of andrographin, andrographolide and klmeghin (Rastogi & Mehrotra, 2004). Recently the experiment has been shown antityphoid, antipyretic and antibiotic activity (Satyavati et al, 1976). The tribal and rural people widely use decoction of whole plant (10ml BD X 5days) for malaria with remarkable success (Patel, 2006).

Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) ‘Neem’

          Margosa is a religious, evergreen, dense tree. It is wild as well as cultivated all over our country. The bitter constituents of leaf, trunk, bark and seed oil are nimbin, nimbinin and nimbidin. It is well known that neem and its products have variety of uses as antipyretic (Okpanyi & Ezenkwu, 1981), antifertility (Lal et al, 1986), antidiabetic (Bhargawa, 1986), spermicidial  (Sinha et al, 1984) and wound healing drug (Bhargawa et al, 1985). A decoction of leaves and bark is a bitter tonic and alternative in chronic malarial fever as a dose of 5ml TDS X 7days (Dwivedi, 2004). 

Bacopa monnieri Linn. (Penn.) (Scrophulariaceae) ‘Brahmi’

          Brahmi is a creeping, succulent herb, rooting at node with numerous ascending branches. It grows as wild in wet, damp and marshy places. The principle active factors that have reported from this plant are two steroidal saponins, bacoside A and B (Chatterji et al, 1963), bacosaponins (Garai et al, 1996), alcoloids, flavonoids, glycosides, betulic acid and phytosterols (Jain & Kulshreshtha, 1993). Plant extract has anxiolytic, congnition enhancing (Bhattacharya & Ghosal, 1998), relaxing (Dar & Channa, 1997), antioxidant (Elangovan et al, 1995) and immune modulating activities (Dahanukar & Thatte, 1979). The juice of whole plant (5TSF TDS X 5days) is prescribed by the rural medicine men for the treatment of malaria (Dwivedi, 1999).

Caesalpinia boducella Fleming. (Caesalpiniaceae) ‘Gatayan’

          It is a prickly twinning shrub, commonly known as fever nut and found in forest areas, fencings and hotter part of India. Seeds contain bitter substance phytosterinin, bonducin, sponin, fatty oil and two glycosoids (Chopra et al, 2002). Leaves and bark are emmenagogue, febrifuge, anthalmintic, tonic and possesses antipyretic activities (Rao et al, 1994). Bitter principle is an excellent weapon for the eradication of Plasmodium sps form blood and liver cells. Roasted and powdered seeds with sugar (2gm : 10gm BD X 3days) is used by the trained rural physicians after meal for malaria. As the seeds are toxic, hence higher doses are avoided. The rural and tribal people utilized leaf decoction (10ml OD X 3days) as a safe remedy (Dwivedi, 2006).

Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (Asclepidiaceae) ‘Aak’

          A cosmopolitan evergreen shrub, distributed in open waste dry situations. Plant is clothed with cottony tomentum, with lactiferous tissues having milky latex. Plant parts contain calotropin, calotoxin, uscharin and possess antimicrobial activity (Valsraj et al, 1997) and used in traditional medicine to cure several ailments (Kirtikar & Basu, 1999). The powder of root bark (10gm BD X 5days) recommended by the natives to cure intermittent fever (Goud et al, 1999).

Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) Jeffery. (Ccurbitaceae) ‘Shivalingi’

         The herb is commonly known as shivalingi, grows wildly in fencings and hedges during rainy season. Fruit contain bitter principle bryonin and used in bilious attack, flatulence and inflammation (Anonymous, 1996). The ripe or unripe fruits fried with purified butter and prescribed by the tribal and rural medicine men to treat malarial fever. It is also an excellent remedy for chronic colitis (Dwivedi et al, 2006).

Eclipta prostata Roxb. (Asteraceae) ‘Bhringraj’

          Common weed in moist situations, distributed throughout India. Plant is emetic, purgative, applied externally as antiseptic to cure wounds, sores, ulcers and external injuries and possesses antiviral (Husain et al, 1992) and hepatoprotective (Dixit & Achar, 1979) activities. The juice of whole plant (5ml TDS X 5days) is useful to cure malaria (Dwivedi, 2004).

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Enicostema hyssopifolium (Willd.) Verd. (Gentaianiaceae) ‘Chhota chirayata)

          It is a common weed of grassland and more frequent in open fields. The herb contains glycoside and ophelic acid and used as laxative, stomachic, tonic and blood purifier (Satyavati et al, 1976). The juice of whole plant (10ml BD X 3days) recommended by the tribal and rural people to treat malarial fever.

Fumaria indica (Haussk.) Pugsely. (Fumariaceae) ‘Pitpapara’

          Common as a winter weed in cultivated fields, garden beds on moist, sandy soil. It is diffuse, much branched slender, glabrous, annual herb. Plant contains fumarine alcoloid and used to cure skin diseases, diarrhoea, indigestion, bodyache and urinary disorders in folk medicine (Jain, 1991). Extract of leaves and shoot (5ml TDS X 5days) in a native remedy for chronic malarial fever (Sangeeta 2004).

Leucas  aspera (Willd.) Link. (Lamiaceae) ‘Gumma’

          A common way side weed, locally abundant in crop fields, waste land and fallow fields. The herb is erect, branched, containing glandular hairs secreting volatile oils, which are scented.  The plant parts contain analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities (Raddy et al, 1993). The decoction of whole plant with equal amount of leaves of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) as a dose of 10ml TDS X 5days is used to cure malarial fever (Varghese, 1996).

Mimosa pudica Linn. (Mimosaceae) ‘Lajawanti’

         The plant is known as chuimui and is naturalized more or less throughout India. It contains alcoloid mimosine and possesses antiviral activities (Bhakuni et al, 1969). The herb is used to cure a number of ailments in traditional system of medicine (Jain, 1991). Recently antidepressant activities have also been studied (Molina et al, 1999). The powder of shade-dried plant (10gm BD X 5days) is useful to reduce temperature in malarial fever

Momordica charantia Linn. (Cucurbitaaceae) ‘Karela’

         It is a climbing herb, cultivated in the clayey and loamy soil throughout India. Plant parts contain charatin, momoridicine, carotene, glucoside and highly aromatic essential oil and used as astringent, purgative, emetic, anthelmintic and hypoglycemic drug (Nadkarni, 1998). Bitter leaf juice (2TSF TDS X 5days) is given by the tribal physicians to cure malaria Dwivedi, 2003)

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. (Oleaceae) ‘Harsingar’

         It is naturalized in forests and also cultivated in home gardens and roadsides as an ornamental plant. The leaves are antiamoebic and anti-inflammatory and plant part possesses hypothermic activities (Bhakuni et al, 1969). It is used in several ailments including sciatica, rheumatism, gout and other joint diseases (Dwivedi et al, 2005). The expressed juice of leaves (10ml BD X 5days) is a native remedy for intermittent fever.

Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Lamiaceae) ‘Tulsi’

         A sacred and religious herb, mostly grown in most Hindu homes. The leaves are analgesic, antiallergic, anti-inflammaatory, yield an essential oil   and possess antiulcer activity (Anonymous, 1996). It is household medicine and used in many diseases in traditional medicine (Anonymous, 2001; Kirtikar & Basu, 1999).  The extract of fresh leaves is a native medicine for malarial fever (Paranjepe, 1999).

Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) ‘Chitrak’

         It is a straggling perennial herb, grows in wasteland, open forests, scarab jungles, hill hocks and mostly found in moist and shady places, also cultivated for medicinal and ornamental purposes. Plant contains plumbagin and possesses anti-implantation, abortifacient (Dhar & Rao, 1995), antibacterial and antifungal activities (Rastogi & Mehrotra, 2004). The extract of leaves and stem (2TSF BD X 5days) is beneficial in the treatment of intermittent fever.

Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. ex Kurz. (Apocynaceae) ‘Sarpagandha’ 

          Dried roots of Sarpagandha have an active drug respirine, which is a better remedy for high blood pressure and antidote to snakebite (Chopra et al, 1982). It is distributed in some part of India and established as rare herb in Red Data Book (Nayar & Sastry, 1990). Root extract used as febrifuge to reduce the temperature in all kind of fever including malaria.

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. (Menispermaceae) ‘Giloya’

          Commonly known as amrita and distributed in tropical India. It is a popular drug used in several complaints including debility, diabetes, jaundice, gynaecological and joint disorders (Nadkarni, 2001). The active glycoside is giloin and possesses antiviral, antibacterial and hypoglacemic activities (Husain et al, 1992). It is ingredient of many ayurvedic preparations. Fine powder of dried stem   prescribed (10gm BD X 5days) by the natives for the treatment of malarial fever (Patel, 2006).

Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Zingiberaceae) ‘Adarakh’

          Ginger is a perennial herb, having characteristic fragrance when cut or bruised. The plants are extensively cultivated for sake of rhizome, which are consumed as carminative, stimulant and flavouring agent and are also used as native medicine (Sharma, 2003). Rhizome yields pungent constituents volatile oil containing camphene, zingiberene and shogaol (Farnsworth, 1966). The extract of fresh rhizome (2TSF TDS X 5days) with honey used by the rural vaidyas to reduce the temperature in malaria (Dwivedi, 1999).

Polyherbal Antimalarial Formulation

         Tribal and rural physicians prescribed polyherbal drug for the treatment of malaria. The main ingredients of this formulation are :  Andrographis paniculata (Brum. f. ) Wall. ex Nees. ‘Kalmegh’ leaf 50gm,  Azadirchta indica A. Juss. ‘Neem’ bark 25gm, Leucas aspera (Willd.)  Link. ‘Gumma’ leaf 25gm, Fumaria indica {Haussk.) Pugsley. ‘Pitpapara’ whole plant 50gm, Piper longum Linn. ‘Peepar’ fruit 15gm, Nyctanthes arbot-tristis ‘Harsingar’ leaf 50gm,  Ocimum sanctum Linn. ‘Tulsi’ leaf 50gm, Tinospora cordifolia {Willd.) Miers. ‘Giloya’ stem 50gm, Zingiber officilnale Rosc. ‘Adhrakh’ rhizome 25gm and Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb. ‘Bahera’ 50gm. 

         Exact proportions of above herbal products are taken and grinding together to make the fine powder by adding 50gm of misri. This herbal powder is prescribed (2TSF TDS X 5days, 2TSF BD X 5days) with water for the eradication of chronic malarial fever. The treatment should be continued as a dose of one teaspoonful once daily till the disappearance of Plasmodium parasite from the liver and blood cells.

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CONCLUSION

        There are a number of medicinal herbs that possess antimalarial activities comparable to clinically effective synthetic drugs. Modern allopathic medicines used for the treatment of malaria have grave side effects and seldom damage the vital organs viz. spleen, liver, kidney etc. Obviously, the complete eradication of parasites from the human body is not possible by these drugs. The herbal treatment for malaria is cheaper with no fear of any side effects. Moreover, herbal drugs are more compatible to human body constitution and suits to the local and cultural need of people. The indigenous method of preparation maintains the purity of the drug. The essence of substance is never destroyed and is always present in balance amount, as nature might have prescribed it.  It has been also observed that the herbs employed in malarial fever are bitter tonic, antipyretic, febrifuge and stimulate liver and spleen. However, more detailed clinical studies are required for the plants showing antimalarial actions, so the malaria can be treated effectively by use of plant based formulations and offered by the other people of our society. 

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

        The financial assistance provided by University Grants Commission to the senior author (SND) for the research project is gratefully acknowledged.

Medical dose:  OD= Once daily, BD= Twice daily, TDS=Thrice daily, TSF=Teaspoonful

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