Evaluation of Antimalarial Activity of Methanolic Root Extract of Myrica salicifolia A Rich (Myricaceae) Against Plasmodium berghei–Infected Mice

Abstract

Background. The management and control of malaria has become gradually challenging due to the spread of drug-resistant parasites, lack of effective vaccine, and the resistance of vector to insecticides. Consequently, novel agents are urgently needed from different sources including from medicinal plants. In Ethiopia and Uganda, Myrica salicifolia root is traditionally claimed for the treatment of malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activity of root crude extract of M salicifolia. Methods. The parasite, Plasmodium berghei was used in this study since it is an appropriate parasite that is most commonly used because of its higher accessibility. A 4-day suppressive test was employed to evaluate the antimalarial effect of crude extract against early infection. The curative and prophylactic effect of the crude extract was further tested by Rane’s test and residual infection procedure. Parasitemia, survival time, packed cell volume, body weight, and rectal temperature of mice were used as evaluation parameters. Windows SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data and analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference to compare results between groups. Results. The root crude extract of M salicifolia significantly ( P < .05-.0001) suppressed parasitemia. The crude extract exhibited a chemosuppression of 40.90. Conclusion. The development of new antimalarial agents and the finding supports the traditional claims and previous in vitro studies.

<p>Anti-Oxidant Potential and Antimalarial Effects of <em>Acanthus polystachyus Delile</em> (Acanthaceae) Against <em>Plasmodium berghei</em>: Evidence for in vivo Antimalarial Activity</p>

“…53 Thus, the extract of A. polystachyus may possess appetite-suppressing activity which could be attributed to flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds. 45,54,55 Notably, the present finding is in agreement with the previous finding. 45 However, the finding of the current study on body weight was not consistent with previous similar studies.…”

“…45,54,55 Notably, the present finding is in agreement with the previous finding. 45 However, the finding of the current study on body weight was not consistent with previous similar studies. 52,56,57 Hematological abnormalities and body temperature reduction are the common features of P. berghei infected rodents.…”

“…The present finding is in line with previous similar studies. [45][46][47] Furthermore, it has been conveyed that antioxidant activity can inhibit heme polymerization (the unpolymerized heme is very toxic for the Plasmodium species). 48 In the current study, the leaves extract of A. polystachyus showed potent antioxidant activity.…”

Evaluation of Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Zehneria scabra Roots Against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss Albino Mice

“…21 This evidence is further supported by the effect of Myrica salicifolia that the entire doses of the crude extract did not prevent body weight loss in the 4-day test, even though there was a significant suppression of parasitemia. 54 …”

“…21 This evidence is further supported by the effect of Myrica salicifolia that the entire doses of the crude extract did not prevent body weight loss in the 4-day test, even though there was a significant suppression of parasitemia. 54 The loss of RBCs due to hemolysis of malaria-infected RBCs, degradation of uninfected cells in the spleen, erythropoietic suppression, dyserythropoiesis, and oxidative stress, which increases membrane fragility, causes a drop in PCV. Therefore, plants with antimalarial activity are expected to avoid a drop in PCV by preventing hemolysis and RBC destruction.…”