In vivo Evaluation of the Antiplasmodial Activity of Sterculia setigera Leaf Extract on Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice

Abstract

The developing resistance of malaria parasite to currently available anti-malarial drugs lead to search for novel effective drugs. Sterculia setigera a deciduous tree, commonly known as Karaya gum tree in Northern Nigeria. Traditionally, its boiled leaves have been used in the treatment of malaria. The present study aims investigate the toxicological and in vivo antiplasmodial effects of S. setigera extract on albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Swiss albino mice (15-25g), chloroquine sensitive P. berghei and Fresh S. setigera leaves were collected, air dried, ethanol extract obtained and used for the study. The modified Lorke method was adopted to determine acute toxicity, with 3 groups of mice intraperitoneally administered varying doses of the extracts in 2 phases. The malaria parasite plasmodium berghei was inoculated into the apparently healthy Swiss albino mice. The curative evaluation of grouped mice used at various concentrations (150mg/kg, 300mg/kg, and 1200mg/kg) alongside negative (distilled water) and positive (10mg/kg chloroquine) controls were performed. The parameters of body weight, packed cell volume and parasitemia were determined using Ranes’ and Peters test. The Phytochemical evaluation of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids and triterpenes while, cardiac glycosides and anthraquiones were absent. The single oral dose of 5000mg/kg toxicity study was not found to be toxic after several observations. The crude extract in doses of 150mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 1200mg/kg administered to different group of mice showed decreased average parasitemia, while increased packed cell was observed. The crude extract also prevented weight loss on the last day of the treatment. The crude extract showed significant antiplasmodial activity against P. berghei, depending on the dosage. All extracts in treatment groups decrease parasitemia level in infected mice. This study suggests that the leaf extract of S. setigera possess antiplasmodial activity against plasmodium berghei in a dose dependent manner, and prevented loss of weight and increase packed cell volume which. establish a scientific justification on the traditional use of S. setigera in management of malaria.