J.M.Nguta
a *, J.M.Mbaria
a , D.W.Gakuya
a , P.K.Gathumbi
a ,
J.D.Kabasa
b , S.G.Kiama
a a University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya b Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

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Malaria is the single most cause of ill health, death and poverty in sub-saharan Africa
There are as many as 300 m acute cases of malaria worldwide each year, resulting in 1m deaths
90% of these deaths occur in sub-saharan Africa, and majority of victims are children aged less than 5 yrs
Malaria is a major obstacle to social economic growth in Africa, accounting for 40% of public health expenditure
Nguta et al, 2010. Journal of Ethno pharmacology

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In Kenya, 22M people are at risk, 70% of them are in rural areas
About 34,000 Kenyan children die every year from malaria compared to a total estimate of
42,000 people dead
80% of people worldwide are estimated to use herbal remedies against common diseases including malaria.
However, few data are available on their safety.

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The current study was designed to evaluate the acute toxicity of crude plant extracts used against malaria in Kenya in larvae

Study site (Msambweni district)

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Preparation of extracts
Aqueous
Organic (CHCL
3
/MeOH, 1:1) –Cold maceration
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Acute toxicity determination
The procedure of Meyer et al (1982), was adopted for LC50 determination

Cytotoxicity of organic crude extracts
4.5% (Non toxic) 4.5%(Weak)
51% (Strong)
40% (Moderate)
Non toxic
Weak
Moderate
Strong

Toxicity of aqueous crude extracts(n=45)
Non toxic Weak Moderate Strong
Strong
(20%)
Non toxic
(24%)
Weak
(16%)
Moderate
(40%)

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Only 24% of the aqueous crude extracts used against malaria in Msambweni, Kenya are safe
Only 4.5% of organic extracts screened were found be safe in brine shrimp lethality assay
Majority of crude extracts could not make safe antimalarials
Further antimalarial and phytochemical work is underway

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Carnegie Corporation of New York through
RISE-AFNNET (for funding)
RISE-AFNNET colleagues
ICOPHAI 2011 organizing committee for a travel grant and invitation
University of Nairobi (Granting paid leave)
ICOPHAI 2011 Participants (For their attention).