Antiplasmodial effects of Allium sativum extract on haematological Parameters of Albino Wistar rats infected with Plasmodium berghei

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the antiplasmodial effects of Allium sativum (bulbs) on haematological parameters of albino rats infected with Plasmodium berghei, divided the animal model into groups, viz: the experimental group (with five different concentrations of 100, 300, 500, 800 and 1000mg/kg), the normal-control (non-inoculated), negative-control (inoculated, but untreated) and positive control (inoculated and treated with 10mg/kg Combisunate). Allium sativum ethanolic extracts were administered and monitored for four days before the treatment. Afterwards, the average parasitaemia was calculated and the average percentage parasite inhibition (suppressive effect) was obtained. Result showed that the parasitemia level for the treated groups decreased progressively for the five-day period. This is indicative in the mean number of the percentage parasitized red cells of 1000mg/kg doses as 9.055±2.06 on the first day post inoculation and 0.30±0.04 on the fifth day. The decrease is also observed in the 100, 300, 500 and 800mg/kg groups. Except the untreated group which showed a progressive increase in parasitemia level with average percentage parasitized red cells as 11.33±1.97 on the first day post inoculation and 18.15±1.49 on the fifth day. The haematological result showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in values of RBC, PCV, Hb, and neutrophils in the inoculated groups, especially the untreated group. As compared to the treated groups, these parameters showed progressive increase as concentrations increased. Conclusively, it can be inferred that the bulbs of Allium sativum have antiplasmodial potentials and can therefore be purified for development of antimalarial drugs.