In vivo antimalarial activities of russelia equisetiformis in plasmodium berghei infected mice

Abstract

The rising problem of resistance to most commonly used antimalarials remains a major challenge in the control of malaria suggesting the need for new antimalarial agents. This work explores the antiplasmodial potential of ethanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis in chloroquine Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally infected with chloroquine-resistant P. berghei (ANKA). Experimental mice were treated for four days consecutively with graded doses of plant extracts and standard antimalarial drugs (artesunate and chloroquine) at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight used as control. The extract showed a dose-dependent activity in the chemosuppression of P. berghei parasites by 31.6, 44.7, 48.4 and 86.5% at doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, while chloroquine (10 mg/kg) and artesunate produced 59.4 and 68.4%, respectively. The extract showed a significant decrease in parasitaemia (P<0.05). The level of parasitemia and decrease in weight in all the treated groups was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared with the infected but untreated mice. The plant extract was devoid of toxicity at the highest dose tested (5000 mg/kg). The study concluded that the ethanol extract of R. equisetiformis possesses antimalarial effect, which supports the folk medicine claim of its use in the treatment of malaria.

In vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray against Plasmodium berghei Nk65 in Infected Swiss Albino Mice

“…The increase in temperature observed in the group of mice treated with the leaf extract is in agreement with Ojurongbe [21] who probably attributed it to the presence of saponin acting as an adjuvant which could be responsible for enhancing the immune response of the experimental mice. The decrease in temperature observed in the negative control group could probably be due to hypothermia.…”

Biological Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Leucophyllum frutescens and Russelia equisetiformis Extracts

“…2′,5″-Dimethoxysesamin isolated from the root bark of L. frutescens proved cytotoxic effects against Vero cells [ 32 ]. Furthermore, R. equisetiformis ethanolic extract was recommended to be used as folk medicine as an antimalarial drug [ 53 ] however, their methanol and aqueous extracts decreased normal rats’ liver function [ 54 ]. Moreover, R. equisetiformis extract showed a slight cytotoxic effect when their haemolytic action was studied against human red blood cells where a lysis ability was noted below 5.0% [ 33 ].…”

Evidence supporting the use of Combretum nigricans as an antimalarial agent in ethnomedicine

“…Though fever (pyrexia) is one of the major manifestations of malaria in humans [33], it is different in the rodent model of malaria, which is usually characterized by hypothermia rather than pyrexia. [34] Previous studies have shown that the body temperature of mice infected with P. berghei will progressively decrease significantly from the fourth day of infection if left untreated. [35,36] This sustained hypothermia in P. berghei infected mice may be attributed to the general debilitating effects of malaria on the host, resulting in excessive body heat loss and ultimately leading to death.…”