scholarly journals In vivo antimalarial activity of crude fruit extract of Capsicum frutescens var. minima (Solanaceae) against Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Author(s):  
Getu Habte ◽  
Solomon Assefa

Abstract Background: The alarming spread of drug resistance to current antimalarial agents is threatening malaria controlling efforts. This, consequently, urged the scientific community to discover novel antimalarial drugs. Successful and most potent antimalarial drugs were obtained from medicinal plants. Capsicum frutescens is claimed to possess an antiplasmodial activity in Ethiopian and Ugandan folkloric medicine. However, there is lack of pharmacological evidence for its antiplasmodial activity. This study, hence, was aimed at evaluating the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of C. frutescens in mice model. Methods: The 4-day suppressive test was employed to ascertain the claimed antiplasmodial effect of the plant. Following inoculation with P. berghei , mice in treatment groups were provided with three dose levels (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) of the extract. Whereas, 2% Tween80 and chloroquine served as negative and positive control, respectively. Weight, temperature, packed cell volume, parasitemia and survival time were then monitored.Results: The oral acute toxicity study revealed that the crude extract caused no mortality and revealed no overt sign of toxicity. In 4-day suppressive test, all dose levels of the extract was found to exhibit a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of parasitemia compared to negative control. Maximum parasite suppression (93.28%) was exerted by the highest dose (400mg/kg/day) of extract. In addition, the extract significantly (p<0.05) prolonged survival time and prevented body weight loss, reduction in temperature and anemia compared to vehicle treated group.Conclusion: This investigation found a strong evidence that fruit extract of C. frutescens is endowed with a promising antiplasmodial activity. Hence, the plant could serve as a potential source of newer antimalarial agent.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Getu Habte ◽  
Solomon Assefa

Background. The alarming spread of parasite resistance to current antimalarial agents is threatening malaria controlling efforts. This, consequently, urged the scientific community to discover novel antimalarial drugs. Successful and most potent antimalarial drugs were obtained from medicinal plants. Capsicum frutescens is claimed to possess an antiplasmodial activity in Ethiopian and Ugandan folkloric medicine. However, there is a lack of pharmacological evidence for its antiplasmodial activity. This study, hence, was aimed at evaluating the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of C. frutescens in a mouse model. Methods. The dried fruits of the plant were extracted with 80% methanol using cold maceration. A 4-day suppressive test was employed to ascertain the claimed antiplasmodial effect of the plant. Following inoculation with P. berghei, mice in treatment groups were provided with three dose levels (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the extract, while 2% Tween 80 and chloroquine served as the negative and positive controls, respectively. Weight, temperature, packed cell volume, parasitemia, and survival time were then monitored. Results. The acute oral toxicity study revealed that the crude extract caused no mortality and revealed no overt sign of toxicity. In the 4-day suppressive test, all dose levels of the extract were found to exhibit a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of parasitemia compared to those of the negative control. Maximum parasite suppression (93.28%) was exerted by the highest dose (400 mg/kg/day) of extract. Also, the extract significantly (p<0.05) prolonged survival time and prevented body weight loss and reduction in temperature and anemia compared to the vehicle-treated group. Conclusion. This investigation found strong evidence that the fruit extract of C. frutescens is endowed with promising antiplasmodial activity. Hence, the plant could serve as a potential source of a newer antimalarial agent.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soheila Moeini ◽  
Ehsan Karimi ◽  
Ehsan Oskoueian

Abstract Background: This research was performed to synthesize nanophytosomes-loaded high phenolic fraction (HPF) from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract and investigate its antiproliferation effects against breast cancer in mice model. Results: The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF from Juniperus polycarpos fruit extract was synthesized. The mice trial was conducted to determine the possible toxic effects of the synthesized nanophytosomes. The anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and antioxidative activities of the nanophytosomes were determined. The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF had a spherical structure with a size of 176 nm and a polydispersity index coefficient of 0.24. The in-vivo study manifested that nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly improved weight gain and food intake compared to the negative control group (p<0.05). The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF significantly enhanced the expression of bax (3.4-fold) and caspase-3 (2.7-fold) genes but reduced bcl2 (3.6-fold) gene expression in tumor cells. The average tumor size was significantly decreased in mice treated with nanophytosomes-loaded HPF (p<0.05). The expression of GPX (2.3-fold) and SOD (2.7-fold) antioxidants in the liver of mice supplemented with nanophytosomes-loaded HPF was significantly developed compared to the negative control (p<0.05). The nanophytosomes-loaded HPF did not show toxicity on normal cells. Conclusion: Our results indicated that nanophytosomes-loaded HPF might be a potential anticancer agent for the breast cancer treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tewolde Teklu ◽  
Ephrem Engidawork ◽  
Teshome Nedi ◽  
Tilahun Teklehaymanot ◽  
Leake Gebremeskel

Malaria’s global impact, fueled by resistance to several antimalarial drugs, has necessitated a quest to new antimalarial drugs from several sources with traditional medicinal plants being one of them. This study was conducted to assess the antimalarial activity of a traditionally used medicinal plant, Leonotis ocymifolia, against Plasmodium berghei. The plant has been extracted using maceration technique, and doses ranging from 100–800 mg/kg of Leonotis ocymifolia were used to test its antimalarial activity. Tween 80 (2% in water) and chloroquine 25 mg/kg were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. The antimalarial activities of the plant were determined by measuring parasitemia, survival time, packed cell volume, temperature, and weight. The plant’s hydroalcoholic extract, as compared to negative control, maximally decreased parasite load by 41.4% at 800 mg/kg (p < 0.001). This parasite suppression was followed by longer survival time in the groups taking 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 800 mg/kg (p < 0.05) in a four-day suppressive test and in those taking 800 mg/kg (p < 0.05) in Rane’s test. The plant did not prevent weight and PCV reduction but prevented temperature reduction at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 800 mg/kg (p < 0.05) in a four-day suppressive model, and at 800 mg/kg (p < 0.05) in Rane’s model. The average but consistent antimalarial activity of the plant across the test models corroborates the folkloric antimalarial use of the plant. The study recommends further pharmacological screenings, isolation, and identification of active compound(s) of the plant Leonotis ocymifolia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gebrehiwot Kiros Gebremariam ◽  
Haile Kassahun Desta ◽  
Tekleab Teka Teklehaimanot ◽  
Tsgab Gebrecherkos Girmay

Background. Malaria is a major health concern in the world in general and developing countries in particular. Nowadays, the control of malaria has ended up steadily more complex due to the spread of drug-resistant parasites. Medicinal plants are the verifiable source of compelling antimalarial drugs. The present study was aimed to assess the in vivo antimalarial activity of leaf latex of A. melanacantha against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Methods. Acute oral toxicity study of the leaf latex was assessed in mice up to a dose of 2,000 mg/kg. A four-day suppressive model was utilized to investigate the antimalarial activity of the plant. Three extract doses, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, doses of the plant leaf latex, chloroquine, 10 mg/kg (positive control) and distilled water, and 10 mL/kg (negative control) were administered to mice. Percent parasitemia suppression, packed cell volume, mean survival time, body weight, and rectal body temperature were used to determine antimalarial activity. Results. Test groups treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the latex showed a significant parasitemia suppression in dose dependent manner compared to the negative control with an IC50 of 22.63 mg/ml. Mice treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg have shown parasitemia suppression of 14.86%, 29%, and 43.2%, respectively. The chemosuppression was significant ( P < 0.05 ) at all doses compared to the negative control. Similarly, mice treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg have shown a significant survival time compared to the negative control. At the same time, weight loss reduction was observed within the test groups treated with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the latex while the test groups treated with 400 mg/kg had showed almost no weight loss reduction. The latex also reversed the PCV reduction significantly ( P < 0.05 ) at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses and prevented rectal temperature dropping significantly ( P < 0.05 ) at all doses. Conclusion. The leaf latex of A. melanacantha has shown significant antimalarial activity against P. berghei in mice supporting the genuine traditional antimalarial usage of the plant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalay Hagazy ◽  
Gereziher G. Sibhat ◽  
Aman Karim ◽  
Gebretsadkan H. Tekulu ◽  
Gomathi Periasamy ◽  
...  

Objective. To evaluate the antimalarial effect of aqueous methanolic extract and solvent fractions of Meriandra dianthera leaves against Plasmodium berghei in mice model. Method. M. dianthera leaves were extracted with 80% methanol and dried. The dried crude extract was then defatted and further fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol. Acute oral toxicity test was performed as per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guideline 425. Peter’s 4-day suppressive test was used to determine the in vivo antimalarial activity of the extract and fractions. Result. The crude leaf extract of Meriandra dianthera showed parasite inhibition of 42.28% and 45.52% at doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg, respectively, as compared to the negative control. Moreover, the mice which received chloroform and aqueous fractions at the dose of 400 mg/kg/day showed significant (P<0.001) chemosuppression compared to the negative control. Both the extract and fractions were able to prevent P. berghei induced body weight loss and body temperature reduction and also increased the survival time of the mice as compared to the negative control. The aqueous methanolic leaf extract of M. dianthera showed no gross signs of toxicity or mortality in mice until a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg. Conclusion. The extracts of M. dianthera leaves showed promising antimalarial activity, with no sign of toxicity and therefore may support its traditional use for the treatment of malaria.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getu Habte ◽  
Teshome Nedi ◽  
Solomon Assefa

Background. Malaria is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Moreover, the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs is a major problem in controlling the disease. This makes the development of novel antimalarial drugs a necessity. Medicinal plants are important sources in discovering antimalarial drugs. Schinus molle is claimed for its antimalarial effect in Ethiopian folkloric medicine and endowed with in vitro antiplasmodial activity. In the present study, the in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant was investigated. Methods. Acute toxicity was carried out using a standard procedure. To screen the in vivo antimalarial potential of the S. molle against Plasmodium berghei (ANKA), a 4-day suppressive test was employed. The extracts and fractions were given to infected mice by oral gavage at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day for four consecutive days. Parameters such as parasitemia were then evaluated. Results. Any sign of toxicity was not observed in the oral acute toxicity test. The crude extracts and solvent fractions exerted a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of parasite load compared to the negative control. The highest inhibition (66.91%) was exhibited by the 400 mg/kg/day dose of 80% methanolic crude extract. Among the fractions, chloroform fraction demonstrated maximal chemosuppressive effect (55.60%). Moreover, crude extracts and solvent fractions prevented body weight loss, reduction in temperature, and anemia compared to the negative control. Except the aqueous fraction, the tested plant extracts were able to significantly prolong the survival time of infected mice. Conclusion. The findings of the present study confirmed the safety and a promising in vivo antimalarial activity of S. molle, thus supporting the traditional claim and in vitro efficacy. In-depth investigations on the plant, however, are highly recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Earnest Oghenesuvwe Erhirhie ◽  
Chidozie Ikegbune ◽  
Anthony Ifeanyi Okeke ◽  
Chukwunonso Chukwudike Onwuzuligbo ◽  
Ngozi Ukamaka Madubuogwu ◽  
...  

AbstractDevelopment of resistance by malaria parasites to conventional antimalarial drugs has rejuvenated the exploration of herbal medicine as alternatives. Also, the increasing rate of the use of herbal antimalarial remedies in combination with conventional antimalarial drugs (both synthetic and semi-synthetic) has inspired researchers to validate their herb-drug interaction effects. This review evaluated the interaction outcomes between herbal antimalarial drugs in combination with conventional antimalarial drugs. With the aid of electronic databases, Pubmed and Google scholar, articles related to this subject were sourced from English peer reviewed scientific journals published from 2003 to 2020. Search terms used include “antimalarial-herbal drugs interaction”, “antimalarial medicinal plant interactions with conventional antimalarial drugs”, “drug-herbal interactions, “antimalarial drugs and medicinal plants”. Synergistic, antagonistic and none effects were reported among 30 studies reviewed. Among 18 in vivo studies on P. berghei and P. yoelii nigerense infected mice model, 14 showed synergism, 3 showed antagonism and 1 involving three plants showed both effects. Among 9 in-vivo studies involving normal animal (non-infected), 2 showed antagonism, 2 showed synergism and 5 showed none-effects. Two (2) studies on human volunteers and one (1) in vitro quantitative study showed that Garcinia kola reduced plasma concentrations of quinine and halofantrine. Generally, majority of herbal antimalarial drugs showed synergistic effects with CAMDs. Vernonia amygdalina was the most studied plant compared to others. Consequently, herbal remedies that produced synergistic effects with conventional antimalarial drugs may be prospects for standardization and development of antimalarial-medicinal plant combination therapy that could curtail malaria resistance to conventional antimalarial therapies.


Author(s):  
Kartika Arum Wardani ◽  
Kholida Nur Aini ◽  
Heny Arwati ◽  
Willy Sandhika

Abstract Sequestration of Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected erythrocytes occurs in BALB/c mice as characteristic of  Plasmodium falciparum infection in humans. Animals’ bile has been widely used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Goat bile has been used in healing infectious and non-infectious diseases; however, no report on the use of goat bile against malaria infection and sequestration. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between parasitemia and sequestration in the liver of P.berghei ANKA-infected BALB/c mice treated with goat bile. This research was an in vivo experimental study using the post-test control group design. The male BALB/c mice aged ± 6 weeks, body weight 20-25 g were used. The mice were divided into five groups where Group 1-3 were mice treated with goat bile 25%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. Group 4-5 were negative (sterile water) and positive controls (DHP). Parasitemia was observed daily from each mouse and the number of sequestered infected erythrocytes on the endothelium of sinusoids. The data were analyzed using t independent test. Antimalarial activity of goat bile was shown by the lower parasitemia in goat bile-treated mice compared with the negative control. The average number of sequestration was goat bile concentration-dependent manner. The higher the concentration, the lower the number of sequestration. Sequestration was correlated with parasitemia (p=0,0001). Sequestration of P.berghei ANKA-infected erythrocytes correlated with parasitemia, and was goat bile concentration-dependent manner. Keywords: Malaria, parasitemia, sequestration, goat bileCorrespondence: [email protected]


Author(s):  
Udeme O. Georgewill ◽  
Festus Azibanigha Joseph ◽  
Elias Adikwu

Nitrofurantoin (NT) used for the treatment of urinary tract infections may have antiplasmodial activity. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) is an artemisinin based combination therapy used for the treatment of malaria. This study evaluated the antiplasmodial effect of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine-nitrofurantoin (DP-NT) on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Adult Swiss albino mice (30-35 g) of both sexes were used. The mice were randomly grouped, inoculated with Plasmodium berghei, and treated orally with DP (1.7/13.7 mg/kg), NT (57.1 mg/kg) and DP-NT (1.71/13.7/ 57.1 mg/kg), respectively using curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests. The negative control was orally treated with normal saline (0.3 mL), while the positive control was orally treated with chloroquine CQ (10mg/kg). After treatment, blood samples were collected and evaluated for percentage parasitemia, inhibitions and hematological parameters. Liver samples were evaluated for histological changes. The mice were observed for mean survival time (MST). Treatment with DP-NT decreased parasitemia levels when compared to individual doses of DP and NT with significant difference observed at p<0.05. DP-NT prolonged MST when compared to individual doses of DP and NT with significant difference observed at p<0.05. The decrease in packed cell volume, red blood cells, hemoglobin and increase in white blood cells in parasitized mice were significantly restored by DP-NT  when compared to individual doses of DP and NT with difference observed at p<0.05. DP-NT eradicated liver Plasmodium parasite.  NT remarkably increased the antiplasmodial activity of DP. DP-NT may be used for the treatment of malaria.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205031211984976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Temesgen Bihonegn ◽  
Mirutse Giday ◽  
Getnet Yimer ◽  
Abebe Animut ◽  
Mekonnen Sisay

Background: Vernonia amygdalina Del. (Asteraceae) is reported to be traditionally used for the treatment of malaria. Based on folkloric repute of this plant in Ethiopian traditional medicine and crude extract-based ethnopharmacological studies conducted in few countries, this study was undertaken to evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activity of 80% methanol extract and its solvent fractions of the leaves of V. amygdalina in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Methods: A 4-day suppressive test was conducted on mice infected with P. berghei to find out antimalarial effect of chloroform, butanol and aqueous fractions obtained from the 80% methanol crude extract. In all the activity tests, mice were randomly assigned in five groups (three tests and two controls) of six animals in each and received respective treatments. Data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Results: Acute oral toxicity test showed that all solvent fractions of the leaves of V. amygdalina revealed neither mortality nor overt signs of toxicity up to 2000 mg/kg. This study indicated that the percentage parasitemia suppression of 80% methanol extract was 32.47% (±2.65), 35.40% (±3.14) and 37.67% (±2.50) at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, respectively. All doses of the 80% methanol extract of V. amygdalina prolonged survival time and prevented weight loss and packed cell volume reduction in infected mice. All doses of chloroform and butanol fractions significantly suppressed parasitemia (p < 0.05), increased survival time (p < 0.05) compared to negative control and exhibited a significant reduction in rectal temperature (p < 0.05). All solvent fractions significantly prevented weight loss (p < 0.05) at all tested doses. The 80% methanol extract and chloroform and butanol fractions significantly (p < 0.05) prevented further reduction in rectal temperature of P. berghei-infected mice at all doses. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of the leaves of V. amygdalina demonstrated promising antimalarial activity. The study corroborated the folklore use of this plant for the treatment of malaria in ethnomedicine in Ethiopia.


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