Antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol leaf extract of Alysicarpus vaginalis in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a disease condition most peculiar to Sub-Saharan Africa and till today remains a challenge as a result of the resistance of the protozoa, Plasmodium species to currently existing drugs. Herbal medicines have been used in treating this disease for years and these medicinal plants have been sources of some antimalarial chemotherapeutic agents.

Objectives: To evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial effect of Alysicarpus vaginalis leaf in mice infected with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei, with a view to finding scientific evidence for the use of mixed water alcohol decoction of the leaf as traditional antimalarial remedy in Nigeria.  

Methods: Sixty healthy Swiss mice were used for the study. The 4-day suppressive test and curative effect against established rodent malaria infection in mice were assayed. The ethanol leaf extract preparation of Alysicarpus vaginalis, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 10 mL/kg of distilled water for no drug control, chloroquine 10 mg/kg for standard control  were administered orally to Plasmodium berghei infected mice. 

Results: The ethanol leaf extract showed that parasitaemia was dose dependently and significantly (P < 0.01) lowered in early infection, 80 – 92 % and established infection test   representing 72-89% inhibition of parasitaemia, with a mean survival time of 23 – 28 days. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids and terpenoids. The acute toxicity test was greater than 5000 mg/kg in mice.

Conclusion: These findings show that ethanol leaf extract demonstrated high antiplasmodial activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Thus, supporting claims of the plant’s traditional therapeutic importance for malaria treatment by local population, and can be developed as an alternative therapy against the disease.