Clinical Evaluation of Efficacy of a Herbal Formulation Used in the Treatment of Malaria

Abstract

Malaria is a public health problem and continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in most tropical and subtropical countries. A rapid spread of malarial disease globally due to treatment failure has led to an urgent need for new effective antimalarials which medicinal plants have contributed to in medicine. The objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of Mist Amen Fevermix which is a decoction of the stem bark of Morinda lucida and Parinari robusta in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in humans, at the Tafo Government Hospital, Kumasi. Clinically established malaria in male and female patients aged, 15-60 years were treated with Mist Amen Fevermix, at the specified dose of 45 mls (0.45 g) three times daily for six days. A total of 50 patients were diagnosed with malaria disease. At the randomization visit, a detailed medical history was obtained and the patients underwent laboratory investigation was done at entry and after completing the study. All the 50 patients completed the study and there was a statistically significant difference between the mean levels of malaria parasite load recorded 28 indicating a significant effectiveness of Mist Amen Fevermix used by the patients. Parasitaemia clearance was 82.35% within the first three days in clients who responded positively to treatment. Results of the study suggest that Mist Amen Fevermix is an effective herbal antimalarial agent when used as specified by the manufacturer.