Synergistic effect of aqueous extract of <i>Telfaria occidentalis</i> on the biological activities of artesunate in <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> infected mice

Abstract

Background: Resistance to most antimalarial drugs has encouraged the use of herbal preparations along with prescribed orthodox drugs. Objective: this study investigated effect of co-administration of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaves, commonly used as antimalarial and haematinic agent in Nigeria, and artesunate using P. berghei animal model. Methods: In vivo curative antiplasmodial effect of T. occidentalis (200mg/kg) alone and in combination with artesunate (2mg/kg) were evaluated using albino mice infected with 10 6 parasitized erythrocytes of P. berghei intraperitoneally. The haematological parameters: haemoglobin level, red blood cells and white blood cells and packed cell volume were monitored using standard methods. Results: Aqueous extract of T. occidentalis, artesunate and the combination gave 72.17±4.07%, 70.43± 4.27% and 85.43± 3.65% reduction in parasitaemia after 48hours respectively. A significant enhancement of the PCV was obtained with the co-administration of artesunate and aqueous extract (p < 0.01). Similar trends were also observed with heamatological parameters at 72 hours of administration. Conclusion: This study revealed a synergistic effect of the co-administration on parasite clearance rate of P. berghei infection in mice, with a significant enhancement of haematological parameters within 48 hours of administration. This indicates a rapid rate of recovery from plasmodial infections with the co-administration.

Antimalarial herbal drugs: a review of their interactions with conventional antimalarial drugs

“…Medicinal plants have played significant roles in the treatment of malaria and have been recommended in curbing resistance posed by Plasmodium parasites to conventional antimalarial drugs [15,16]. Traditionally, herbal medicine remains the backbone for the treatment of malaria for over thousands of years.…”

“…Potentials of herbal medicine have stirred up scientific concerns in the investigation of novel antimalarial drugs from natural products, which remains an effective approach in malaria control [17]. Indeed, herbal medicine is gaining popularity in developed as well as developing countries due to their affordability, accessibility, acceptability and availability [16].…”

“…Adegbolagun et al [16] investigated the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Telfaria occidentalis on the biological activities of ART using a curative model in P. berghei infected mice. The study revealed that the extract, ART and the combination of both produced 72.17±4.07%, 70.43± 4.27% and 85.43± 3.65% reduction in parasitaemia respectively, after 48 h of administration, demonstrating a synergistic effect of the combination on parasite clearance of P. berghei infection.…”

The Efficacy of Bio-synthesized Silver Nanoparticles with Carica papaya Extract against Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice

“…Medicinal plants have played significant roles in the treatment of malaria and have been recommended in curbing resistance posed by Plasmodium parasites to conventional antimalarial drugs" [9]. "According to a recent review of plant-derived drugs and their contribution to the global disease pandemic, it is believed that the future of drug discovery lies in plant-derived natural products [10].…”

Non communicable diseases and infections refuse to go away despite current knowledge and scientific advances.

“…Nigerian authors report that herbal medicine, together with artesunate, are effective against Plasmodium berghei malaria. 16 These two papers are important because of the challenge of rapid emergence of resistance of mosquitoes to chemicals used for spraying and malaria parasite resistance to medications used for prevention and treatment.…”