Evaluation of Antiplasmodial Activity of Stem Bark Extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus Against Plasmodium berghei in Mice

Anogeissus leiocarpus is a tree species widely distributed across the Sudan savannah belt of Nigeria, including parts of Sokoto, Katsina, and Jigawa States in the North West zone, where its bark is traditionally administered for the treatment of malaria and febrile illnesses. This study evaluates the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of aqueous and methanol stem bark extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus against Plasmodium berghei in BALB/c mice using the Peters four-day suppressive test. Animals were grouped into six cohorts receiving extract doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, a standard drug control (artemether-lumefantrine), a negative control, and a vehicle control. Percentage parasitaemia suppression, mean survival time, and recrudescence rate were the primary outcome measures. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. The methanol extract at 400 mg/kg achieved a parasitaemia suppression rate of 74.8%, compared to 91.2% for the reference drug. Mean survival time was significantly prolonged in the extract-treated groups relative to negative controls. The aqueous extract showed moderate but statistically significant activity. These findings provide pharmacological support for the traditional antimalarial use of Anogeissus leiocarpus and underscore the need for bioassay-guided isolation of the active principles. Keywords: Anogeissus leiocarpus, antiplasmodial, Plasmodium berghei, North West Nigeria, Peters suppressive test