In Vitro Antimalarial Activity of Methanolic Extract of Morus Alba L. Leaves against Plasmodium Falciparum 3D7

Abstract

Malaria is one of major global health problem, especially in sub-tropical and tropical countries. The increasing incidence of parasite resistance to recent antimalarial drug encourage any efforts in antimalarial drug discovery. Plants and traditional medicines are an important resource for the discovery and development of new antimalarial agents. Morus alba L. (Moraceae), commonly known as ”murbei”, has been traditionally used to treat fever and malaria. The aim of this research was to investigate antimalarial activity of methanolic extract of M. alba L. leaves against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 in vitro. Dried leaves of M. alba L. was extracted with methanol yielded methanolic extract, followed by in vitro antimalarial activity assay. The result was analyzed by Probit Analysis. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of triterpenoids, flavonoids and glycosides. Result of this study revealed that methanolic extract of M. alba L. leaves was active against P. falciparum 3D7 in vitro, with an IC50 value of 0.02 µg/mL.