An investigation of in vivo antimalarial activity of black tea brew of Camelliu sinensis L. O. Kuntze in mice

Abstract

Several traditional medicines and folklore beliefs exist that black tea brew (BTB) from Camellia sinensis L. O. Kuntze: (Theaceae) possesses antimalarial activity. This study scientifically investigated the antimalarial potential (in terms of antiphrastic activity ) of C. sinensis using Sri Lankan high grown Dust grade No 1 tea in vivo in mice against Plasmodium yoelii. 1336 mg/ kg of TB/ day (equivalent to 24 cups) or chloroquine or \water was orally administered to three different groups (n= 6/ group ) of mice for 3 consecutive days and the schizontrcrdal activity either on early infection or the established malarial infections (measured in terms of parasetemia, chemosuppression and mean survival time). However, the number of surviving mice at day 4 post inoculation was higher in the BTB treated group, compared with the vehicle. It is concluded that BTB may not be effective against P. falciparum human malarial contrary to the beliefs of traditional medicines and folklore that is effective.