In Vivo Antimalarial Activity and Toxicity Study of Extracts of Tagetes erecta L. and Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. from the Asteraceae Family.

Prapaporn Chaniad,Prasit Na-Ek,Chuchard Punsawad,Tachpon Techarang,Arisara Phuwajaroanpong,Parnpen Viriyavejakul,Shagufta Perveen

doi:10.1155/2021/1270902

Abstract

Objective To investigate the antimalarial effects and toxicity of the extracts of the flowers of Tagetes erecta L. and the leaves of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. in a mouse model. Methods To determine the in vivo antimalarial activity of the extracts, mice were intraperitoneally injected with the Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain and then administered T. erecta or S. nodiflora extract daily for 4 days. Parasitemia was observed by light microscopy. For the detection of acute toxicity, the mice received a single dose of T. erecta or S. nodiflora extract and were observed for 14 days. Biochemical parameters of liver and kidney function and the histopathology of liver and kidney tissues of the acute toxicity group were then examined. Results T. erecta and S. nodiflora crude extracts at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight significantly suppressed parasitemia in malaria-infected mice by 65.65% and 62.65%, respectively. Mice treated with 400 mg/kg T. erecta and S. nodiflora crude extracts showed 50.82% and 57.67% suppression, and mice treated with 200 mg/kg displayed 26.33% and 38.57% suppression, respectively. Additionally, no symptoms of acute toxicity were observed in the T. erecta- and S. nodiflora-treated groups. Moreover, no significant alterations in the biochemical parameters of liver and kidney function and no histological changes in the liver or kidney tissues were observed. Conclusions This study revealed that both T. erecta and S. nodiflora extracts have antimalarial properties in vivo with less toxic effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of the active compounds from both plants.

Highlights

Increasing antimalarial drug resistance is an important crisis that affects the control and elimination of malaria [1]. e development of drug resistance to the current treatments is a global concern
Natural products are a crucial source of many pharmacotherapeutics, and they have acted as template-based compounds for the development of antimalarial drugs [7]
Antimalarial Activity. e aqueous extract of T. erecta and ethanolic extract of S. nodiflora were examined for their antimalarial properties by using a 4-day suppressive test. e animals in each group received a daily oral dose of the plant extracts at different concentrations (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight). e results showed that the T. erecta and S. nodiflora extracts effectively suppressed Plasmodium parasites compared with the negative control group, especially at high doses. e parasite counts decreased in a dosedependent manner after treatment with the aqueous extract of T. erecta and the ethanolic extract of S. nodiflora

Summary

Introduction

Increasing antimalarial drug resistance is an important crisis that affects the control and elimination of malaria [1]. e development of drug resistance to the current treatments is a global concern. Increasing antimalarial drug resistance is an important crisis that affects the control and elimination of malaria [1]. E development of drug resistance to the current treatments is a global concern. An unsuccessful vaccine and the emergence of resistance to the current drugs have inspired researchers to look for new and effective antimalarial agents with improved efficacy over older drugs. Natural products are a crucial source of many pharmacotherapeutics, and they have acted as template-based compounds for the development of antimalarial drugs [7]. E quinine scaffold was used as a template for modifications to design more potent drug analogs, such as chloroquine and primaquine [8]. Artemisinin has been developed into dihydroartemisinin, artemether, and artesunate as current antimalarial medications [10].

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Conclusion