Anti-Malarial Effects of Five Traditional Nigerian Medicinal Plant Extracts on Plasmodium Berghei-Infected Rats
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Date
2021
Authors
Ugochukwu Vincent, Igbokwe
Ejike, Daniel Eze
Moses Dele, Adams
Karimah Mohammed, Rabiu
Iliya, Ezekiel
Prisca Ojochogu, Ajeka
Peace Ogechukwu, Okpara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
FUDMA Journal of Sciences (FJS)
Abstract
This work focusses on comparative determination of the effects of plant extracts: bitter leaf (BL), sour lime
(SL), grape (G), pawpaw (PP) and unripe pineapple (UPA) in female rats induced into malaria with
Plasmodiumberghei. Thirty female rats weighing 120-160 g were allotted into five groups (n=6). Group A
(negative control) were infected but not treated. Animals in Groups B–E which were infected were given
500 mg/kg body weight (BW) of malanter DS (reference antimalarial drug), 500 mg/kg BW of BL, 250
mg/kg BW each of SL and BL as well as 250 mg/kg BW each of G, PP and UPA. Treatment was done
orally once daily for 14 days after which a few related analyses were carried out. Before treatment,
parasitemia count of animals in groups B-E was substantially (p<0.05) higher when juxtaposed with group
A. AST and ALT activities was substantively (p<0.05) elevated in group B-E when matched with group A.
Plasmodium berghei induction notably (p<0.05) lowered white blood cell (WBC) and monocyte (Mono)
levels at all groups. After 7 days of treatment, the extracts and drug which appreciably (p<0.05) lowered
plasmodium count, RBC, WBC, PCV, Hb, Plat, Lymph, Mono, Granul levels did not meaningfully(p>0.05)
affect the activities of ALP, AST and ALT. After 14 days of treatment, the extracts and drug exceptionally
(p<0.05) reduced plasmodium count, WBC and ALP activity at all groups. These results give suggestive
evidence that the plant extracts either singly or combined, could be a promising anti-plasmodial candidate.
Description
Keywords
Malaria, Plasmodium berghei, Vernonia amygdalina, Parasitemia.