Abstract
Background Malaria is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Moreover, the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs is a major problem in controlling the disease. This makes the development of novel antimalarial drugs a necessity. Medicinal plants are important sources in discovering antimalarial drugs. Schinus molle is claimed for its antimalarial effect in Ethiopian folkloric medicine and endowed with in vitro antiplasmodial activity. In the present study, the in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant was investigated. Methods Acute toxicity was carried out using a standard procedure. To screen the in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant was investigated. S. molle against Plasmodium berghei (ANKA), a 4-day suppressive test was employed. The extracts and fractions were given to infected mice by oral gavage at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day for four consecutive days. Parameters such as parasitemia were then evaluated. Results Any sign of toxicity was not observed in the oral acute toxicity test. The crude extracts and solvent fractions exerted a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of parasite load compared to the negative control. The highest inhibition (66.91%) was exhibited by the 400 mg/kg/day dose of 80% methanolic crude extract. Among the fractions, chloroform fraction demonstrated maximal chemosuppressive effect (55.60%). Moreover, crude extracts and solvent fractions prevented body weight loss, reduction in temperature, and anemia compared to the negative control. Except the aqueous fraction, the tested plant extracts were able to significantly prolong the survival time of infected mice. Conclusion The findings of the present study confirmed the safety and a promising in vivo antimalarial activity of S. molle, thus supporting the traditional claim and in vitro efficacy. In-depth investigations on the plant, however, are highly recommended.in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant was investigated. S. molle against in vitro antiplasmodial activity. In the present study, the
Highlights
Malaria is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity
Acute toxicity test revealed that no mortality was observed within the first 24 h and the 14 days of the observation period. e gross behavioral and physical observation of the experimental mice, indicated that the plant caused no visible signs of acute toxicity
All dose levels of each crude seed extract evaluated in the study exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference in reducing parasite load compared to negative control. e highest percentage of parasitemia inhibition (66.91%) was exhibited by 80% methanol extract at 400 mg/kg/day dose
Summary
Malaria is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs is a major problem in controlling the disease. is makes the development of novel antimalarial drugs a necessity. The in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant was investigated. E extracts and fractions were given to infected mice by oral gavage at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day for four consecutive days. The tested plant extracts were able to significantly prolong the survival time of infected mice. E findings of the present study confirmed the safety and a promising in vivo antimalarial activity of S. molle, supporting the traditional claim and in vitro efficacy. Like other sub-Saharan African countries, shares the intolerable burden of malaria, which has become a leading public health problem in the country [3]
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