Phylogenetic Investigation of Tamarind (tamarindus Indica) and Some Antimalarial Plants at Kaduna State University,kaduna State.

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating ongoing exploration of effective antimalarial agents. This study investigated the genomic relationships and bioactive compounds of antimalarial plants, including Artemisia annua, Carica papaya, and Tamarindus indica. Known for their medicinal properties, these plants produce compounds such as artemisinin, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which are potent against Plasmodium parasites. Plant samples were collected, identified, and prepared through drying and grinding. Genomic DNA was extracted using RBCL primers, followed by PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis for confirmation. Sequencing data were analyzed using BLAST to verify genetic identities, and multiple sequence alignment (MSA) highlighted molecular similarities among the plants.Phylogenetic analysis, performed with MEGA 11 software and the Neighbor-Joining method, revealed significant evolutionary relationships among the studied plants. An outgroup (Chlorophyta, algae) was included to contextualize the evolutionary divergence between vascular antimalarial plants and non-vascular species. The results confirmed strong genetic links among these plants, supporting their use in traditional medicine and potential in drug development. Findings align with previous studies, such as Okoko et al. (2020), which emphasized Carica papaya's bioactive compounds' role in malaria treatment. This study underscores the value of phylogenetic approaches in elucidating the molecular and evolutionary dynamics of antimalarial plants, advancing the discovery and optimization of therapeutic agents.