Russian Journal of Biological Research

7-15

Authors: Yohanna Longdet Ishaya, Matawal Mary Mankilik, Obed Faven Rimzhi, Edward David Idoko

Malaria is one of the most important infectious diseases in the tropics and sub-tropics. The search for antimalarial compounds has been necessitated by P. falciparum resistance to almost all antimalarial drugs. In this study, the in vivo antimalarial activities of ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina, a plant used by traditional healers to treat malaria and other diseases was carried out. Twenty-one (21) Albino mice were randomly divided into seven groups of three mice each (n = 3). Group 1, 2, and 3 were the experimental group, while group 4, 5, 6, and 7 were treated/untreated, normal, uninfected/treated and standard respectively. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were treated with dose of 200 mg/kg. bwt, 300 mg/kg. bwt and 400 mg/kg. bwt respectively. The average daily parasitaemia level of the Plasmodium berghei infected mice treated with 300 mg/kg. bwt of the ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amgdalinaextract and 25 mg/kg. bwt of chloroquine significantly (P < 0.05) reduce when compared with negative control group. However, there is no significant (P > 0.05) different in the level of parasitaemia in 200 mg/kg. bwt and 400 mg/kg. bwt at the varying concentractions of the ethanolic extract’s dosage, Therefore, this shows that Vernonia amygdalinahas both curative and suppressive activities since at lower concentrations, the parasite was seen to reduce from the initial load before administration and at higher concentrations, the parasite was seen to reduce to the lowest level indicating that if treatment period is extended concentration is administered, the parasite will be cleared completely, thus, the curative activities of the Vernonia amygdalinaleaf extract.

27-35

Authors: Mary Matawal Mankilik, Ishaya Yohanna Longdet, Carrol Domkat Luka

Malaria remains one of the diseases that lack satisfactory treatment worldwide and continued to pose serious challenges with rapid spread of resistant parasite. Achyranthes aspera leaf, stem, and root extracts were found to exhibit antiplasmodial activities. The shoot has little or not been investigated despite its vital chemicals. Based on this, the study attempted to investigate antiplasmodial activity of methanol extract Achyranthes aspera shoot against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice. Achyranthes aspera shoot was sliced, air-dried, then pulverized into powdered form then extracted with methanol, filtered and concentrated with rotary evaporator at 40oC. The crude extract obtained was subjected to phytochemical analysis followed by acute toxicity study. Antiplasmodial effect of the extract was investigated in Swiss albino mice infected with 1x107 Plasmodium berghei (NK-65) strain intrperitonealy. Eight groups of 5 mice were used; group 1: normal control, group 2: infected mice and untreated, group 3&4: infected mice + standard drugs, group 5-7: infected mice + extracts (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg body wt.), group 8: infected mice + vehicle. During the experiment, parasitemia levels and PCV were monitored. Body weight and temperature were also measured. The study found that the plant shoot contains vital phytochemicals (alkaloids, saponins, phenols and flavonoids) and is safe with LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight of extract of mice. Treating Plasmodium berghei infected mice with methanol extract of the plant shoot displayed remarkable effect as evidenced by the reduction in their parasitemia levels and increase survival rate in a manner comparable to chloroquine and artemisinin. The methanol extract of A. aspera is safe, possess vital phytochemicals and exhibited antiplasmodial activity in mice. As it is a good antimalarial candidate, further research should characterize the active component(s) and their mode of action.