Research Article - Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2017) Volume 7, Issue 61

In Vivo Antiplasmodial Evaluation Of Methanol Leaf Extract and Fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don (Sapotaceae)

Malaria is a disease of major concern that has affected millions of people especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa. There is an urgent need for development of alternative treatment means for malaria gives the emergence of resistance and adverse effects to current agents. This study evaluated the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the methanol leaf extract and fractions of Chrysophyllum albidum. Dried C. albidum leaves were cold macerated in methanol. The median lethal dose (LD50) was evaluated in mice. 54 albino mice grouped into 9, were used for the study. Animals were treated with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of methanol leaf extract of C. albidum, 500 mg/kg each of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fractions of C. albidum leaf; Arthermeter:lumefantrine (0.73:4.4 mg/kg) and 5 ml of distilled water respectively. Biochemical and hematological effects of C. albidum leaf extract were also evaluated. The LD50 was calculated to be 2739 mg/kg body weight. The results revealed that the methanol extract, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fractions exhibited significant (P<0.05) reduction in percentage parasiteamia. There were no significant (P<0.05) changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, white blood cell count, red blood cell counts, heamoglobin and packed cell volume. The result of this study validates the use of C. albidum in ethnomedicine for malaria treatment. However, further studies need to be done to identify and characterize the active principles presence. This study may be useful as lead in future development of antimalarial drugs.

Author(s): Ezenwa CJ, Onyegbule FA, Umeokoli BO, Osonwa UE

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