Abstract

Antimalarial medications remain one of the major interventional tools for the global malaria control efforts. One of the most popular Ghanaian herbal antimalarial agent is the product sold under the trade name ‘Adutwumwaa malamix’. This product is registered with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana as treatment for uncomplicated malaria. In this study, the safety and effectiveness of the product ‘Adutwumwaa malamix’ for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria was clinically evaluated based on disease-oriented and patient-oriented evidence. A total of 42 subjects were recruited for the study. Complete cure was achieved for 35 (83.33%) of participants by day 7 of the study. Partial efficacy was also achieved for 7 (16.66%) of subjects. Patient reported symptoms such fever, chills and abdominal pains were also significantly improved by day 7 and absent by day 28. The safety parameters assessed did not show any clinically significant change among the study population during treatment. The outcome of the study indicates that the Ghanaian herbal antimalarial agent ‘Adutwumwaa malamix’ may be an effective herbal treatment for the management of uncomplicated malaria.

Key words: Adutwumwaa malamix, Anthocleista nobilis, Phyllanthus fratenus, polyherbal antimalarial, safety and effectiveness, Vitex grandifolia.