Nauclea latifolia aqueous leaf extract eliminates hepatic and cerebral Plasmodium berghei parasite in experimental mice

Abstract

A B S T R A C TObjective: To assess the effects of hot water leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia (N. latifolia) on antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation values and parasite levels in hepatic and brain tissue of experimental mice (BALB/c) infected with Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) malaria. Methods: Forty nine mice were divided into seven groups (n = 7) and used for the study. Group A (control) were given 0.2 mL/kg phosphate buffer saline; Group B mice were infected with P. berghei and treated with phosphate buffer saline. Groups C and D mice were also infected but treated with 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract respectively. Groups E and F mice were not infected, but received 200 and 300 mg/kg of leaf extract respectively. Group G mice were infected and treated with chloroquine (5 mg/ kg). Liver and brain tissues of mice were prepared for both biochemical assay and microscopic examination. Results: Results showed that P. berghei malaria infection induced oxidative stress in both liver and brain tissues as evidenced by the significant (P < 0.05) decrease in antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase. These reductions perhaps caused compromise in membrane integrity as indicated by the significant increase in lipid peroxidation product malondialdhyde. Malaria parasites were also identified in these tissues. However, N. latifolia treatment eliminated the parasites in tissues and protected them from oxidative damage even better than chloroquine treatment did, whose anti-malarial potency also cleared tissue parasites. The measurement of protection by N. latifolia against damage was strengthened by the insignificant micro structural alterations. Conclusions: The bioactive phytochemical(s) in N. latifolia should be structured and the mechanism(s) of its antimalarial tendency should be further investigated.

Nauclea latifolia Sm. Leaf Extracts Extenuates Free Radicals, Inflammation, and Diabetes-Linked Enzymes

“…They also chelate metals, and when consumed, reduce the incidence of disease and promote health [26]. The result was suggestive of the antioxidant potential N. latifolia leaves possess as reported by previous finding [27]. Though moderate to good antioxidant activity was observed for all extracts, the higher antioxidant capacity and scavenging activity of NLE may be as a result of higher tannin contents.…”

Bioactive screening and in vitro antioxidant assessment of Nauclea latifolia leaf decoction

“…The presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, anthocyanins, betacyanins, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and quinones in N. latifolia ethanolic leaf extract is an indication that these secondary plant metabolites have a synergistic effect on the various pharmacological properties reported by Onyesom et al [6]. These phytochemicals play a major role in preventing disease and promoting the general health status of individuals.…”

“…It can be prepared together with other plants and applied against diarrhoea. Various researched pharmacological effect of N. latifolia include lowering blood pressure, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, analgesic, anxiolytic and sedative properties [6]. However, there is a dearth of information on the evaluation of its bioactive chemical contents, antioxidant properties and relationship between both properties.…”

Model Optimization and In Silico Analysis of Potential Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Antagonists from GC-MS Identified Compounds in Nauclea latifolia Leaf Extracts

“…Nauclea latifolia (NL) is one of such medicinal plants with reported and validated antidiabetic activity, which has been attributed to the high alkaloid content and other biological activities [21,22,23,24]. Antimalarial [25], antihelmintic, antimicrobial [26], antiviral [27], antiulcer [28], analgesic [29], antioxidant and hepatoprotective [30] activities are some of the reported biological and pharmacological activities of different N. latifolia parts. On phytochemistry, β-sitosterol and its derivative, quinovic acid, β-carbolines, tramadol, scopoletin, p-coumaric acid, resveratrol, naucleol and other phyto bioactives have been isolated, characterized and confirmed to possess various pharmacological activity in various disease conditions [31].…”