Antimalarial properties of crude extracts of seeds of Brucea antidysenterica and leaves of Ocimum lamiifolium

Abstract

BackgroundThe search for new antimalarial drugs has become increasingly urgent due to plasmodial resistance to existing drugs. As part of this global effort, the present study aimed at evaluating the antimalarial activity of two traditionally used medicinal plants against the disease.MethodsAcute toxicity and four-day suppressive effects of aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts of the seed and leaf of Brucea antidysenterica and Ocimum lamiifolium, respectively, were investigated in Swiss albino mice using Plasmodium berghei using standard procedures.ResultsMethanol extract of the leaves of O. lamiifolium did not exhibit any sign of acute toxicity up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. However, all mice provided with seeds of B. antidesenterica at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body died within 24 h. The aqueous, methanol and chloroform crude extracts of B. antidesenterica significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited parasitaemia in a dose-dependent manner and prevented body weight loss at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight. In addition, the extracts prolonged the mean survival time of P. berghei-infected mice compared to the non-treated control. However, it did not prevent reduction in packed cell volume except the chloroform extract in three doses and methanol extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Extracts from O. lamiifolium also exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activities. The extracts did not prevent body weight loss and PCV reduction, especially in chloroform. The highest suppression was recorded from aqueous crude extract of O. lamiifolium with 35.53 % in the dose of 600 mg/kg. On the other hand, a similar higher suppression was found in both methanol and chloroform of crude extracts of B. antidesenterica with 47.70 %, 46.44 % of chemosuppression, respectively, in its highest dose tested.ConclusionCrude aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts of the two medicinal plants possess acceptable antimalarial effects. However, further investigation should be pursued on toxicity study and to isolate the bioactive components responsible for the observed antimalarial action of the plants.

Isobolographic analysis of co-administration of two plant-derived antiplasmodial drug candidates, cryptolepine and xylopic acid, in Plasmodium berghei

“…The potential toxicity of the CYP + XA combination was then evaluated by assessing the integrity of various structures involved in the general malarial parasiticidal action, detoxification and eventually, possible elimination of the test drug in the host. From the study, all the various dose combinations of the cryptolepine/xylopic acid significantly prevented loss of body weight in conformity with previous studies using other medicinal plant products and active drug candidates [ 24 , 25 ]. Loss of body weight is among the numerous general features of malaria infection which is possibly due to disturbed metabolic function and hypoglycaemia associated with malaria parasite infection [ 26 ].…”

Evaluation of in-vivo antidiarrhoeal and in-vitro antibacterial activities of the root extract of Brucea antidysenterica J. F. Mill (Simaroubaceae)

“…In addition, diarrhoea leads to loss of electrolytes particularly sodium (Na + ) and water, and finally end up with dehydration and death [7,41,42]. 80% methanol was used as a macerating solvent for plant extraction and it was similar with other laboratory works done on B. antidysenterica [20,21]. In general, hydro-alcoholic co-solvents such as 80% methanol seem to possess the optimum solubility characteristics for initial crude extraction and provide high extraction yield [10,43].…”

“…After drying, the percentage yield of plant extract was determined and it was 6.26% w/w. Finally, the dried crude extract was stored in the refrigerator at 4°C until use [20].…”

The protective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on liver damage in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA

“…However, the identification of these active compounds that present the antimalarial activity should be performed. The test compound is considered active when the inhibition of parasitemia is higher than 30% [30]. In the present study, all the extract in treated groups induced more than 30% inhibition.…”