Abstract
The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimalarial effects of the methanol extract of Erythrina senegalensis leaves (MEES) and its ameliorative effects on some haematological and biochemical alterations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Thirty Swiss mice, 18–22 grams were placed in 6 groups of 5 mice. Group 1 served as normal control. Groups 2–6 were infected with P. berghei. Group 2 was untreated while group 3 was treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine. Groups 4–6 were treated orally with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w. of the MEES for 4 days. The percentage parasitaemia, haematological and biochemical parameters were investigated. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of a number of phyto-constituents. The acute toxicity test of the MEES showed no toxicity up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg b. wt. P. berghei infection triggered marked increases in percentage parasitaemia, lipid peroxidation, liver enzymes, kidney function and lipid profile, while the antioxidant and haematological parameters declined in the untreated group. Treatment with the MEES led to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in percentage parasitaemia, lipid peroxidation, liver enzymes, kidney function and lipid profile, and a corresponding increase in antioxidant and haematological parameters, indicating that the MEES reversed complications associated with P. berghei infection.
Highlights
Malaria threatens almost one-third of the world’s population in 104 tropical countries and territories where it is considered an endemic disease (Pimenta et al 2015)
Treatment with the methanol extract of Erythrina senegalensis leaves (MEES) led to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in percentage parasitaemia, lipid peroxidation, liver enzymes, kidney function and lipid profile, and a corresponding increase in antioxidant and haematological parameters, indicating that the MEES reversed complications associated with P. berghei infection
Terpenoids, protein and carbohydrates were present at moderate amount while flavonoids and phenolic compounds were present in high quantities (Table 1)
Summary
Malaria threatens almost one-third of the world’s population in 104 tropical countries and territories where it is considered an endemic disease (Pimenta et al 2015). Malaria is caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium and is one of the leading infectious diseases in many tropical regions, including Nigeria, where transmission occurs all year round (Adebayo and Krettli 2011). P. falciparum is responsible for the vast majority of deaths from malaria (Lothar et al 2008). The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that malaria, the deadly parasitic disease is responsible for nearly 90% of deaths in Africa (Ogbodo et al 2010). The WHO estimated that in 2015, there were about 212 million cases of malaria which caused about 429,000 deaths worldwide, with the majority of those affected being children less than 5 years old (WHO 2016) These figures rose to 216 million cases in 2016, leading to about 445,000 death cases, most of which occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa
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