<i>In vivo </i>Antimalarial, Antioxidant Activities and Safety of <i>Carapa procera </i>DC. (Meliaceae)</b>.

<b>Background and

Objectives

</b> <i>Carapa procera</i> is a popular herb used by traditional healers in the western part of Burkina Faso. In a previous study, <i>Carapa procera </i>showed interesting antiplasmodial activity <i>in vitro </i>against <i>P. falciparum</i>. The present study aimed to evaluate its <i>in vivo</i> potential against malaria parasites and its safety in mice. <b>Materials and

Methods

</b> The antimalarial activity of the ethanolic extract was evaluated on <i>Plasmodium berghei </i>Anka in the Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice using the Peters 4-day suppressive test. The acute toxicity was performed according to the Lorke method and sub-acute toxicity following the Seewaboon method. The polyphenols and flavonoids were determined by colorimetric methods. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated <i>in vitro</i> by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAPP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. <b>

Results

</b> <i>Carapa procera</i> had a good antiplasmodial activity at a dose of 250 mg kg¹ b.wt. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids in the extracts. Soxhlet ethanolic extracts had the highest content in polyphenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity of Soxhlet ethanolic extracts was better than macerated extract by DPPH method and FRAP method. Besides, no mortality in mice was recorded with the soxhlet ethanolic extract. No toxic signs were observed in animals in the sub-acute toxicity test. <b>

Conclusion

</b> <i>Carapa procera </i>soxhlet ethanolic stem bark extract had a good <i>in vivo</i> antimalarial activity against <i>Plasmodium berghei </i>infection in mice and the extract was relatively safe when administered orally in mice.