Effect of the Crude Extract of the Leaves of Osyris quadripartita on Plasmodium berghei in Swiss Albino Mice
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Continuous emergence of multi-drug-resistant malaria parasites and their rapid spread across the globe warrant urgent search for new anti-malaria chemotherapeutics. Traditional medicinal plants have been the main sources for screening active phytochemicals against malaria. Accordingly, this study was aimed at evaluating in vivo antimalarial activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei of Osyris quadripartita Salzm. Ex Decne, locally called ‘keret’ in Amharic, which is used for traditional malaria treatment by local people in different parts of Ethiopia. The plant part was collected and identified by a botanist. Crude leaves were extracted using aqueous, methanol and chloroform solvent extracts. Methanol gave the highest yield of the plant extract. Acute toxicity study results indicated that the plant extract did not show any sign of toxicity up to 2000mg/kg. To assess the effect of the plants on the test parasite, a 4-day suppressive standard test was performed. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Both aqueous and methanol extract of O. quadripartita significantly (P<0.05) suppressed parasitemia and prevented packed cell volume (PCV) reduction in dose dependent manner and body weight gain in all dose levels. In addition, they prolonged survival time in all doses. On the contrary, chloroform extract of O. quadripartita significantly (P<0.05) inhibited parasitemia, prevented body weight loss, prevented PCV reduction and prolonged survival time in all doses. Chloroform extract of the plant showed the highest parasitaemia suppression (41.26%) at 600mg/kg whereas its methanol extract caused 24.4% suppression at 200 mg/kg dose tested. Furthermore, aqueous extract of the plant showed 21.67% suppression at the same dose tested. The finding supports the traditional use of the plants for the treatment of malaria. Further evaluation of this plant is, however, needed before it is recommended for the control of malaria.
Keywords Antimalarial activity, Osyris quadripartita, in vivo, Plasmodium berghei, Swiss albino mice, Ethiopia
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Antimalarial activity, Osyris quadripartita, in vivo, Plasmodium berghei,, Swiss albino mice ;Ethiopia