Ethnopharmacology of Antimalarial Herbal Agents for Traditional Medicine Practice in Ethiopia: A Review

Background: Malaria is one of the parasitic infections that cause enormous public health, economic, and emotional burdens in many tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Controlling and treating malaria has become more challenging due to vector mosquito resistance to existing pesticides and the establishment of multidrug resistance by malaria parasites to commonly used antimalarial medications. New antimalarial alternative medications and mosquito control strategies are immediately needed. Like most African countries, Ethiopia is prosperous in a wide range of tropical habitats, and remarkable biodiversity and relies on traditional medicines to treat various illnesses.

Objectives: The present study aimed to discuss ethnopharmacological activities (medicinal properties), phytochemistry, and safety (toxicity) of some of the commonly used antimalarial herbal agents in Ethiopia and around, which could have significant potential for antimalarial drug discovery and development.

Insights: In light of the increasing level of multidrug-resistant malaria, traditional medicine could be an essential, affordable and sustainable alternative source of treatment. The traditional uses of most plants for the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia have been supported by In vitro and In vivo studies. There is a vast majority of unexplored flora and folklore, which, if they are systematically explored, will provide additional new leads and drugs for malaria treatment and control. Further studies for antimalarial drug discovery and development should focus on the identification of the active constituents as well as pharmacokinetic profiles of the promising candidates studied so far in the area.