Abstract:
Background: Anti-malarial herbal preparations (HPs) continue to enjoy high patronage in Ghana despite reports that
the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), the recommended first choice for treatment of uncomplicated
malaria in the country, remains efficacious. A major issue with the use of these preparations is inadequate or unreliable
data on their efficacy and quality. An assessment of the potency and quality of the most popular commercial
anti-malarial HPs in Ghana was, therefore, carried out. The outcome of this investigation is herein discussed preceded
by a short literature review of herbal medicines in Ghana.
Methods: Using a questionnaire survey of 344 individuals in parts of Ghana, five of the most frequently used HPs
were identified and selected for test of their efficacy and quality. The effect of the selected compounds on Plasmodium
berghei in vivo was assessed using standard methods.
Results: All five tested HPs (HP-A, HP-B, HP-C, HP-D and HP-E) showed chemo-suppressive activity against P. berghei
in vivo. However the degree of parasites inhibition is significantly lower compared to the WHO-recommended
artemether–lumefantrine combination (p < 0.05, 99.9% chemosuppression/activity, 28 days survival). Using the Solomon
Saker’s Test, two of the preparations were found to contain chloroquine or compounds with chemical properties
like that of chloroquine.
Conclusion: Popular anti-malarial HPs used in southern Ghana were found to have chemo-suppressive properties.
Intentional addition of chloroquine or SCs to these preparations in order to enhance their effectiveness has serious
public health concerns as it may induce cross resistance to amodiaquine, one of the partner drugs in the recommended
ACT for use in Ghana.
