In vivo antimalarial activity, toxicity, and phytochemical composition of total extracts from securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (polygalaceae)

Abstract

Introduction: Alternative antimalarial drugs are urgently required. Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae) is a medicinal plant with a long history of use in African ethnomedicine to treat malaria and other illnesses. The efficacy, safety, and chemical composition of chloroform: methanol (1:1) and aqueous total extracts from the leaves, stem, and roots of S. longepedunculata were investigated. Methods: Adult Swiss female mice were infected with 107 erythrocytes parasitized with Plasmodium berghei (strain ANKA) on day 0 as a model of malaria. Effects of crude extracts at a dosage rate of 100 mg/kg of body weight on parasitemia were measured over a 4-day period. To evaluate acute toxicity, the mice were administered crude extracts by oral gavage at 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg of body weight and observed over a 24-h period. Cytotoxic effects of crude extracts were measured using human epithelial-2 cells in a 96-well microtiter plate over a 24-h period. Results: Chloroform: methanol (1:1) and aqueous root extracts demonstrated significant chemosuppressive activities of 91.46% and 87.64%, respectively (P 2000 mg/kg body weight. Crude extracts contained alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, and triterpenoids. Conclusion: The findings from the current study validate ethnopharmacological use of the plant, while demonstrating its potential as a possible source of new lead molecules against malaria.