In-vitro Antimalarial Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Jatropha curcas Leaf Extracts

Abstract

The study was aimed at evaluating the antimalarial properties and phytochemical 
compounds present in the leaves of Jatropha curcas Linn. The extracts of the leaves of 
J. curcas were screened for the presence of secondary metabolites and in-vitro 
antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum using the thin smear method. The 
results of the Bioassay all the fractions of J. curcas were found moderately active 
against the malarial parasite at concentrations of 5000, 2000, 1000, and 500 µg/ml 
with percentage elimination of 94.3, 92.9, and 91.4% respectively. The results 
indicated that the plant extracts contained an active compound(s) that have anti-malaria properties. The Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence 
of saponins, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and alkaloids. Therefore, the study justifies 
the use of leaves of Jatropha curcas Linn in traditional medicine for treating malaria 
fever in the Hausa community of Katsina State, Nigeria.