A STUDY OF ANTICOAGULANT AND ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITIES OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

Pereskia bleo, Leea indica and Clausena lansium are three medicinal plants that have been traditionally used for their anticoagulant or antimalarial activities, besides other uses. The objectives of the project are to evaluate leaf extracts of P. bleo, L. indica and C. lansium for their effects on blood coagulation and malaria parasite maturation, and to identify the active components for the activities. The leaf extracts of the three plants were screened for their anticoagulant and antimalarial activities by determining the coagulation times and evaluating inhibitory effects on malaria parasite schizont maturation. Active extracts, fractions and isolated compounds were characterized using various analytical methods. Potential anticoagulant components were identified in the leaf extracts of P. bleo and L. indica. Potential antimalarial components were identified in the leaf extracts of P. bleo and C. lansium. The results provided a scientific basis for their traditional uses. Further research on such promising plants is warranted.