ABSTRACT
Malaria is one of the leading global parasitic infections, responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among pregnant women and children under five years of age. This study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial activity of Terminalia mantaly, Senna occidentalis, and Carica papaya in albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) infected with Plasmodium berghei. The plants were screened for secondary metabolites, and all were found to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, phenols, steroids, and tannins. Forty-five albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of fifteen rats each, housed in plastic cages. Each group was further subdivided into three sub-groups of five rats, labeled as groups 1–3, and inoculated with the Plasmodium berghei parasite. The plants were administered at three different dosages: 500 mg, 400 mg, and 300 mg, beginning on the fifth day post-infection.The results revealed that Terminalia mantaly and Senna occidentalis exhibited the most significant antimalarial activity, with the 500 mg dose leading to the lowest parasite count and parasitaemia. Specifically, Terminalia mantaly reduced parasitaemia to 1.3% (1.60 ± 2.3 parasite count), while Senna occidentalis reduced it to 0.98% (1.20 ± 0.83 parasite count). In contrast, Carica papaya showed lower efficacy, with parasitaemia ranging from 4.89% to 24.63% at the highest and lowest dosages, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the dosages, indicating a dose-dependent response for all three plants.These findings support the potential of Terminalia mantaly and Senna occidentalis as promising antimalarial agents, with Carica papaya showing moderate activity. Further studies are required to isolate the active compounds responsible for these effects and optimize dosages for clinical application.