Antiplasmodial and haematological effects of Senna occidentalis leaf ethanolic extracts on Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

Abstract

A research was conducted to investigate the haematological effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Senna occidentalis on Swiss albino mice infected with 0.2 ml of Plasmodium berghei infected blood. Fifteen (15) mice weighing between 140-260g were assigned into five study groups of three mice each. The first group is treated with 0.2 mL of normal saline (drug free control). Group 2, 3, 4 were treated with 100, 200, and 400mg/kg of theethanolic leaf extract respectively while group 5 received 10mg/kg of chloroquine phosphate. All doses were administered orally. The results obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test to separate the means. The result of the preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, diterpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, Triterpenoids, carbohydrates and proteins. The level of parasite suppression ranges from 35% to 75% and the activity increased with increase in concentration of the extracts (dose dependent). The extracts were found to increase the level of some haematological parameters such as Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Haemoglobin. The effect is concentration dependent, increases with increase in concentration. Thus, the anti plasmodial efficacy of the leaf extract of S. occidentalis on P. berghei is confirmed. It is recommended that , 400 mg/kg leaf ethanolic extracts of S. occidentalis couldbe use in the treatment of malarial fever.