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

Abstract

Background: Since drug resistance makes controlling malaria parasites a major challenge, these pioneering researchers explore and discover new novel drugs from a variety of sources. As a result, this study aimed to assess the anti-plasmodial activity of hydroalcoholic crude extract and solvent fractions of Zehneria scabra roots in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Methods: The antimalarial activity and safety profile of Zehneria scabra extracts were tested in a mouse model using four-day suppressive, prophylactic, and rane's tests against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei. Mice were divided into five groups at random: group I received distilled water (10 mL/kg), group II, III, and IV received 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, and group V received chloroquine (25 mg/kg). The antimalarial activity of the extract was determined using parasitemia levels, survival time, rectal temperature, and weight variation. Results: At all dose levels, the crude extract and solvent fractions of Zehneria scabra showed significant (p<0.05 to p<0.001) chemosuppression, with the crude extract and butanol fraction showing the highest chemosuppression (73.09% and 74.09%, respectively). Apart from suppressing parasitemia, the extract also increased survival time and secured packed cell volume reduction substantially (p<0.05 to p<0.001), while the crude extract had no significant impact on body weight or rectal temperature reduction in four-day suppressive and prophylactic models. Conclusion:The result designated that Zehneria scabra is endowed with significant antimalarial activity. These results thus support the traditional use of Zehneria scabra, for the treatment of malaria.

In vivo antiplasmodial activity of hydromethanolic leaf extract and solvent fractions of Maytenus gracilipes (Celastraceae) against Plasmodium berghei in mice

“…Overall, maximum (74.15%) suppression of parasitemia was attained by the highest dose of the crude extract. Similar results were displayed in other studies [ 57 , 58 ]. If a compound produced 30% or more parasitemia suppression, it is considered as active [ 59 ], which supports the results of this study.…”

“…More than the effect produced at the 4-day suppressive test, the crude extract averted reduction of PCV in study mice at all doses as compared to the untreated group in the curative test. This could be due to the antagonistic effect of the plant on oxidative stress to protect the occurrence of anemia secondary to dys-erythropoiesis, in so doing sustaining the availability of new RBCs produced and released from bone marrow [ 58 ]. In the repository test, only the highest dose of the crude extract protected the decline in PCV of the study mice.…”

“…In Ethiopia, almost 200 different medicinal plant species are utilized to cure malaria [ 13 ]. Carissa spinarum [ 15 ], Leonotisocymifolia [ 16 ], Zehneriascabra [ 17 ], Croton macrostachyus, Rutachalepensis, Vernonia amygdalina [ 18 ], and Gardenia ternifolia [ 19 ] were among the Ethiopian medicinal plants whose antiplasmodial actions were proven in studies [ 14 ]. The antiplasmodial activity of Maytenus gracilipes , on the other hand, has not been scientifically evaluated.…”

Suppressive, Curative, and Prophylactic Effects of Maesa lanceolata Forssk. against Rodent Malaria Parasite Plasmodium berghei

“…Most probably, this activity could be attributed to myrcene isolated from chloroform extract of Ethiopian M. lanceolata leaves [24]. In contrast, the n-butanol fraction showed better suppression than chloroform and water fractions as shown in other studies done on other plants [50,72,[78][79][80]. Such variable findings might be due to the difference in the concentration level of the bioactive ingredients in the crude extract and solvent fractions [81].…”

Insecticidal effects of some selected plant extracts against Anopheles stephensi Liston (Culicidae: Diptera)

“…Previous studies revealed extracts of Z. scabra have effective insecticidal activities against aphids, glowworms, and mill bugs [50]. It also has been reported that Z. scabra crude extracts to have anti-plasmodial effects [51].…”