In vitro antiplasmodial activity and prophylactic potentials of extract and fractions of Trema orientalis (Linn.) stem bark

John Oludele Olanlokun,Oluwole Moses David,Anthony Jide Afolayan

doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1914-x

John Oludele Olanlokun, Oluwole Moses David + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1914-x

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Abstract

BackgroundTrema orientalis (T. orientalis Linn) has been used in the management of malaria in the western part of Nigeria and despite its application in ethnomedicine, there is dearth of scientific evidence to justify the acclaimed prophylactic antimalarial usage of the plant. The aim of this study is to assess the in vitro antiplasmodial cell-free assay and chemopreventive efficacy of the methanol extract of the stem bark of T. orientalis and its fractions as a prophylactic regimen for malaria prevention. Also, the antimicrobial activities of the extract and the fractions were investigated.MethodVacuum liquid chromatography was used to obtain dichloromethane, ethylacetate and methanol fractions from the methanol extract of T. orientalis. The fractions were tested for their prophylactic and cell-free antimalarial activity using murine models and β-hematin formation assay respectively. Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of the extract and its fractions against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.ResultsIn the prophylactic experiment, dichloromethane (DCMF), methanol fraction (MF) and extract (ME) (in this order) showed significant chemopreventive effects against P. berghei invasion of the red blood cells when compared with both Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) and untreated controls. Results of the in vitro study showed that the DCMF had the highest effect in preventing the formation of β-hematin when compared with other fractions. The DCMF also had the highest percentage inhibition of β-hematin formation when compared with chloroquine. The extract and fractions showed a concentration dependent antibacterial activity. Methanol extract had a pronounced inhibitory effect on Enterobacter cloaca ATCC 13047 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. Serratia mercescens ATCC 9986 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 19582 were the most susceptible bacteria.ConclusionThe results obtained showed that both extract and fractions of T. orientalis possessed antiplasmodial and antimicrobial activity.

Highlights

Trema orientalis (T. orientalis Linn) has been used in the management of malaria in the western part of Nigeria and despite its application in ethnomedicine, there is dearth of scientific evidence to justify the acclaimed prophylactic antimalarial usage of the plant
In the prophylactic experiment, dichloromethane (DCMF), methanol fraction (MF) and extract (ME) showed significant chemopreventive effects against P. berghei invasion of the red blood cells when compared with both Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) and untreated controls
Results of the in vitro study showed that the dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) had the highest effect in preventing the formation of β-hematin when compared with other fractions

Summary

Introduction

Trema orientalis (T. orientalis Linn) has been used in the management of malaria in the western part of Nigeria and despite its application in ethnomedicine, there is dearth of scientific evidence to justify the acclaimed prophylactic antimalarial usage of the plant. The aim of this study is to assess the in vitro antiplasmodial cell-free assay and chemopreventive efficacy of the methanol extract of the stem bark of T. orientalis and its fractions as a prophylactic regimen for malaria prevention. Mosquito-borne infection, which is responsible for symptoms like periodic chills, rigors, profuse sweating and high fevers, which occur at regular intervals of 48 to 72 h [1]. Malaria is a serious and often fatal disease caused by plasmodium parasite that is transfected when mosquito feeds on blood meal from humans. The geographical distribution of malaria is determined by the distribution of the Anopheles mosquitoes, as well as areas having the correct climate. There has been increased malarial transmission in areas of higher altitudes in Africa, possibly due to the climatic change resulting in increased temperatures in high-altitude areas [4]

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