Moringa leaf extract potentiation of antimalaria monotherapies

Malaria is a serious health problem, second only to HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. It is responsible for more than one million deaths each year in the region. The development and spread of malaria parasite resistance to drugs have led to global recognition and commitment to public health problems associated with malaria. The monotherapy approach in combating malaria has given way to combined therapy in the attempt to curb the menace of chloroquine resistance. Previous studies have indicated effective antiplasmodial activity and low level toxicity of Moringa oleifera leaves extracts in in vitro and in vivo studies. The reported antiplasmodial activity and low level toxicity of M. oleifera leaves extract when used to treat malarial in mice strongly suggest the presence of low toxicity antiplasmodial principles that are potential combination chemotherapeutic agent with existing monotherapies. This report provides preliminary data of potential antiplasmodial principles in M. oleifera leaves that may serve as combination agents with available monotherapies like chloroquine and artesunate.