Evaluation of Effectiveness of Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma longa, discretely and in Combination with Chloroquine against Chloroquine-Sensitive Strain of Plasmodium berghei

Background and Aim: Malaria is a parasitic disease and one of the most important public health problem. Chemical medications such as chloroquine, primaquine, pyrimethamine, mefloquine, artemisinin and fansidar are commonly used to treat malaria but most of the antimalarials have encountered with problem of drug resistance. Therefore, new therapeutic materials are promptly needed. During many years natural medicines, especially medicinal plants have been considered as the pivotal means for treatment of malaria in some endemic areas. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa L, discretely and in combination with chloroquine against chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium berghei. Materials and Methods: Fifty percent effective dose (ED50s) of C. longa and chloroquine were determined according to peter̛ s method. Then based on the obtained ED50s combination of Curcuma longa and chloroquine with different ratios were examined against the strain. Results: The results of ED50s for chloroquine and C. longa were 1.4mg/kg and 1250mg/kg, respectively. Combination of C. longa ethanolic extract with chloroquine in ratio of 80/20 showed the highest activity with 71.75% to inhibit the growth of P. berghei indicating synergistic interaction in the combination treatment. Conclusion: It appears that turmeric (C. longa) extract is an effective anti-malarial substance especially in combination with chloroquine.