Abstract
The haematopoietic potential of <i>Jatropha tanjorensis</i> leaf extract in <i>Plasmodium berghi-berghi</i> infected mice treated with <i>Hippocratea africana</i> root bark extract was investigated. Thirty (21) adult mice weighing 27 – 33g were divided into seven (7) groups with three (3) animals in each group. Group 1 served as normal control while Groups 2 – 7 were parasitized with <i>Plasmodium berghi-berghi</i> and Group 2 was the test control (parasitized and untreated) group. Group 3 was administered 8mg/kg bw of artemether-lumefantrine for 3 days. Group 4 and 5 received daily, 200mg/kg bw and 300mg/kg bw of extracts of <i>Hippocratea africana </i>and <i>Jatropha tanjorensis</i> respectively for 4 days. Group 6 received 8mg/kg bw of artemether-lumefantrine for 3 days followed with 300mg/kg bw of <i>Jatropha tanjorensis</i> leaf extract for 4 days. Group 7 was treated with 200mg/kg bw of <i>Hippocratea africana</i> root extract for 4 days followed by 300mg/kg bw of <i>Jatropha tanjorensis</i> leaf extract for 4 days. Significant anti-plasmodial activity was observed with artemether-lumefantrine and <i>Hippocratea africana</i> root bark extract administration. <i>Plasmodium berghi-berghi</i> infection induced alterations in haematological indices such as decreased RBC count, platelet count, haemoglobin concentration and heamatocrit and increased WBC count. Administration of <i>Jatropha tanjorensis</i> leaf extract showed improved haematological indices particularly in the red blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentration. <i>Jatropha tanjorensis</i> has haematopoietic activity in <i>Plasmodium berghi-berghi</i> infected mice treated <i>Hippocratea africana</i> root bark extract.
Highlights
Malaria is a major pandemic in the tropical regions of the world such as Africa, South America and Asia
Treatment with artemether-lumefantrine, Hippocratea africana resulted in reduced red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration
The present study has shown that the inoculation of the Plasmodium berghi-berghi in the experimental animal resulted in anaemia as manifested in lowered red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration
Summary
Malaria is a major pandemic in the tropical regions of the world such as Africa, South America and Asia. Nigeria accounts for a quarter of all malaria cases in Africa [1]. Artemisinin-base combination therapies [ACTs] are recommended by the world health organization for effective management of malaria. The high cost of these drugs, unavailability and the emergence of drug resistance Plasmodium falciparum has left the poor masses completely reliant on natural herbal remedy with little or no cost and is readily available as well as well proven to be effective against malaria [2]. It has been observed that in the rural communities, patients who may be seeking quick healing tend to combine herbal therapies with conventional drugs for malaria treatment [3]
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