Carica papaya augments anti-malarial efficacy of artesunate in Plasmodium berghei parasitized mice.

Abstract

Drug-herb interaction may lead to therapeutic failure or toxicities. This study investigates the effect of methanol extract of Carica papaya (papaya) on anti-malarial efficacy of artesunate and on hepato-renal toxicities in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Five groups comprising of twenty-five mice were used for the study. Group 1 mice were non-infected and served as normal control while groups 2-5 were all parasitized. Group 2 mice were without treatment and served as parasitemia control. Group 3 mice were treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract alone while group 4 mice received 5 mg/kg of artesunate. The last group received a combination of 400 mg/kg of the extract and 5 mg/kg of artesunate. The treatment lasted five consecutive days during which daily packed cell volume and parasitemia levels were evaluated. At the end of the treatment period, mice were euthanized and blood samples were collected to determine some haematological parameters, liver and kidney function parameters and levels of oxidative stress. Co-administration of Carica papaya and artesunate significantly (P˂0.01) reduced daily parasitemia load and significantly (P˂0.01) mitigated drastic reduction in packed cell volume, red blood cells and haemoglobin levels. The combination significantly (P˂0.01) attenuated oxidative stress and does not adversely affect white blood cells and differential white blood cells count as well as hepato-renal markers. Short-term co-administration of Carica papaya and artesunate in Plasmodium berghei infected mice is a positive drug-herb combination. This should be clinically explored for the purpose of malaria treatment in humans.