Antimalarial Activity of the Leaf Latex ofAloe weloensis(Aloaceae) againstPlasmodium bergheiin Mice

Abstract

Background. Emergence of drug resistance and lack of therapeutic efficacy of modern antimalarial drugs are the most triggering factors for the searching of new lead compounds with different mechanisms of action. Medicinal plants with documented traditional uses are a viable option for treatment of malaria. Traditionally, the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis has been used in the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the antimalarial activity of the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Methods. A four-day suppressive test was employed to evaluate the antimalarial effect of the leaf latex of the plant against P. berghei in Swiss albino mice. Mice were randomly assigned in five groups of five animals in each and given 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the leaf latex, chloroquine 25 mg/kg, and distilled water. The level of parasitemia, packed cell volume, survival time, temperature, and body weight was used to determine the antimalarial activity. Results. The acute toxicity study indicated that the leaf latex of A. weloensis caused neither mortality nor signs and symptoms of toxicity at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Furthermore, the 4-day suppressive test indicated that the latex of the plant exhibited a significant parasitemia reduction in a dose-dependent manner as compared to negative control. The leaf latex of the plant exhibited a percent inhibition of 13.05%, 41.87%, and 66.84% at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The chemosuppression of the antimalarial activity was statistically significant at 100 mg/kg (p<0.05), 200 mg/kg (p<0.01), and 400 mg/kg (p<0.01) as compared to negative control. All doses of the leaf latex prevented weight loss and reduction in temperature and packed cell volume and increased the survival time of infected mice. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrated that the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis possessed antiplasmodial activity confirming the genuine traditional use of the plant as an antimalarial agent.

Evaluation of the Antimalarial Activity of the Leaf Latex of Aloe weloensis (Aloaceae) against Plasmodium Parasites

“…e latex at the 400 mg/kg (58%) and 600 mg/kg (74%) showed greater parasite suppression, implying the latex dose-dependent curative effect. Compared to the previous 4day suppressive test (p < 0.01) [16], the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis showed greater curative potential (p < 0.001) in the late stage of Plasmodium infection in the curative test.…”

“…e plant's leaf latex has been used in folk medicine against malarial and other human ailments in Ethiopia [15]. Previously, the leaf latex Aloe weloensis showed a significant antimalarial effect in Peter's (4-day suppressive) test and safe at 2000 mg/kg [16]. Besides, phytochemical studies showed that this plant's leaf latex was endowed with flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, saponins, terpenoids, and tannins with prominent antimalarial activities in various plant extracts [12,[17][18][19].…”

Evaluation of Aloe weloensis (Aloeacea) Mucilages as a Pharmaceutical Suspending Agent

“…Aloe weloensis , locally known as Eret tafa, belongs to the family Aloaceae [ 14 ], and its mucilage has never been tested as a suspending agent. However, the antibacterial and antimalarial activity of the plant has been tested [ 14 , 15 ]. Hence, it is wise to search for new suspending agents from the mucilage of Aloe weloensis.…”

Anti-malarial activity of the leaf latex of Aloe weloensis (Aloaceae) against plasmodium parasites&nbsp;

“…The plant's leaf latex has been used in folk medicine against malarial and other human ailments in Ethiopia [15]. The leaf latex Aloe weloensis showed a signi cant anti-malarial effect in 'Peter's (4-day suppressive) test and safe at 2000 mg/kg [16]. The leaf latex of this plant contains avonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, saponins, terpenoids, and tannins that showed prominent anti-malarial activities in various plant extracts through a various mechanisms of action [12,[17][18][19].…”