Phytochemicals extracted from Cola nitida leaf possess antimalarial effects and improve derangements in haematological indices of Plasmodium berghei- infected mice.

Abstract

Research Article IJTCM (2020), 5:31 Phytochemicals extracted from Cola nitida leaf possess antimalarial effects and improve derangements in haematological indices of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Classical antimalarial drugs such as quinine and artemisinin are both plant derived suggesting that plants are a promising source of bioactive components that can help in combating the scourge of malaria. Cola nitida leaf has been reported to possess antimalarial activity and also contain pharmacologically active phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolics. The effects of these phytochemicals in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei was evaluated in this study. For each phytochemical, 7 groups (A-G) of eight mice each were used. Groups A and B served as normal and infected controls respectively. Group C was treated with 20mg/Kg body weight of chloroquine and served as the treated control. Groups D, E and F were administered 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight of the different phytochemicals while group F was treated with 50mg/Kg body weight of the phytochemicals only without parasite inoculation thus serving as extract control. Treatment commenced 72hrs after inoculation and was done once orally for four consecutive days after which parasitaemia was evaluated. All the phytochemicals were found to exhibit antimalarial activity in a dose dependent manner. The mean survival time of all the experimental groups were also prolonged in a dose dependent manner compared to that of untreated control. Similarly, all the phytochemicals improved the altered haematological indices towards normal. These phytochemicals of Cola nitida exhibited significant antimalarial activities and thus can be further studied in the search for novel antimalarial drugs.

Herbal Extracts Acting as Diuretics: A Comprehensive Review

“…Cola nitida leaf has been reported to contain active phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolics. Its medicinal efficacy arises from a diverse range of secondary metabolites, making it effective in the treatment of conditions like cough, asthma, and malaria [31]. A study explored the diuretic, natriuretic, and kaliuretic actions of C. nitida (methanolic extract) in male Wistar rats, administered in doses ranging from 100 to 600 mg/kg over a 14day period, with furosemide as a standard drug.…”

Mini-review on the phyto-chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of <i>Cola nitida</i> (Vent.) Schott & Endl. (Malvaceae): A medically interesting bio-resource of multiple purposes in Africa

“…However, the C. acuminata extract had substantially greater monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity than C. nitida (p< 0.05) (Ganiyu et al, 2018). Zailani et al (2020) reported that the ethanolic extract from C. nitida leaves showed the highest antiplamodial activity by reducing 97.05% of the parasiteamia. Indeed, to evaluate the antimalarial activity of Cola nitida leaf, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg body weight were administered to mice per os.…”

“…Atawodi et al, 1995;S.-O. Atawodi et al, 2007;Sonibare et al, 2009;Umoh et al, 2014).This plant has various medicinal properties and is involved in the treatment of many diseases such as coughs, asthma and malaria (Zailani et al, 2020).…”

“…In addition, it is also used for the production of drugs, soft drinks, and wines (Dah-Nouvlessounon et al, 2015). Because of its different secondary metabolites, C. nitida has a variety of biological properties, including anti-malarial activity (Zailani et al, 2020). The purpose of this mini-review was to summarize current understanding of the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Cola nitida, an African medicinal plant.…”