Phytochemicals extracted from Cola nitida leaf possess antimalarial effects and improve derangements in haematological indices of Plasmodium berghei- infected mice.

Abstract

Classical antimalarial drugs such as quinine and artemisinin are both plant derived suggesting that plants are a promising source of bioactive components that can help in combating the scourge of malaria. Cola nitida leaf has been reported to possess antimalarial activity and also contain pharmacologically active phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolics. The effects of these phytochemicals in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei was evaluated in this study. For each phytochemical, 7 groups (A-G) of eight mice each were used. Groups A and B served as normal and infected controls respectively. Group C was treated with 20 mg/Kg body weight of chloroquine and served as the treated control. Groups D, E and F were administered 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight of the different phytochemicals while group F was treated with 50 mg/Kg body weight of the phytochemicals only without parasite inoculation thus serving as extract control. Treatment commenced 72 hrs after inoculation and was done once orally for four consecutive days after which parasitaemia was evaluated. All the phytochemicals were found to exhibit antimalarial activity in a dose dependent manner. The mean survival time of all the experimental groups were also prolonged in a dose dependent manner compared to that of untreated control. Similarly, all the phytochemicals improved the altered haematological indices towards normal. These phytochemicals of Cola nitida exhibited significant antimalarial activities and thus can be further studied in the search for novel antimalarial drugs.