Abstract
In this study, the antimalarial and toxicity potentials of husk fibre extracts of five Nigerian varieties of Cocos nucifera were evaluated in vitro. The only active extract fraction, West African Tall (WAT) ethyl acetate extract fraction, was then evaluated for its phytochemical constituents, antimalarial and toxicity potentials at varying doses (31.25–500 mg/kg body weight) using various organ function indices. The results revealed that WAT ethyl acetate extract fraction (WATEAEF) contained alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids and was active against Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain maintained in continuous culture, with a selectivity index of 30.3. The same extract fraction was active in vivo against Plasmodium berghei NK65, causing more than 50% reduction in parasitaemia on days 4 and 6 after inoculation at various doses administered. WATEAEF did not significantly alter (P > 0.05) function indices of the liver and cardiovascular system at all doses administered but significantly increased (P < 0.05) plasma creatinine concentration at 250 and 500 mg/Kg body weight compared to controls. The results of this study suggest that WATEAEF possesses antimalarial activity and may not adversely affect normal liver function nor predispose subjects to cardiovascular diseases but may impair normal kidney function at higher doses. Further studies are underway to isolate the active principles.
Highlights
Malaria is one of the most dreaded human parasitic diseases in the tropics and subtropics, especially in Africa where 81% of cases and 91% of deaths have been estimated to occur, with children under five years of age and pregnant women being most severely affected [1]
The in vitro evaluation of the extract fractions for antiplasmodial activities revealed that only the ethyl acetate fraction of the husk fibre extract of West African Tall (WAT) was active against Plasmodium falciparum W2 strain maintained in continuous culture (IC50 = 10.94 μg/mL), with a selectivity index of 30.3 (Table 1)
The 4-day suppressive test revealed that the WAT ethyl acetate extract fraction, at the doses of 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg/Kg body weight, caused 50.2%, 97.5%, and 98.6% reduction in parasitemia, respectively, on day 4 after inoculation and 56.6%, 73.4%, and 71.1% reduction in parasitemia, respectively, on day 6 after inoculation (Table 3)
Summary
Malaria is one of the most dreaded human parasitic diseases in the tropics and subtropics, especially in Africa where 81% of cases and 91% of deaths have been estimated to occur, with children under five years of age and pregnant women being most severely affected [1]. The use of plant remedies has steadily increased worldwide in recent years, as well as the search for new phytochemicals that could be developed as Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine useful drugs for the treatment of malaria and other infectious diseases [6]. Cocos nucifera husk fibre and white flesh are used in folk medicine for the treatment of malaria [3, 7]. Our recent in vitro studies have authenticated the acclaimed antimalarial action of the husk fibre extract of Cocos nucifera [8]. The present study was, set out to evaluate the antimalarial and toxicity potentials of the husk fibre extracts of five Nigerian varieties of Cocos nucifera in vitro and the most active in vivo, with the aim of identifying the most potent variety for rational antimalarial drug design
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
