In vivo antimalarial activity of Ipomoea involucrata P. Beauv. in Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the most important tropical diseases which affects majorly populations in developing countries. Increased resistance of Plasmodium sp. to major antimalarial drugs is a major challenge to malaria control programs as well as to national health systems in endemic countries. Objectives: To determine antimalarial property of Ipomoea involucrata extract in mice and ascertain the folkloric use in antimalarial recipe. Methods: The antimalarial activity of Ipomoea involucrata extract and fractions were evaluated in the 4-day chemo-suppressive test in infected Plasmodium berghei NK 65 mice. Doses of extract and fractions (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) were administered orally to different groups while the positive control received 10 mg/kg Chloroquine (CQ).  Pack cell volume (%PCV), bodyweight change and survival time were monitored.  Results: The extract exerted a dose- dependent effect on parasitaemia, with the 800 mg/kg hexane fraction group expressing the highest suppression of parasite growth of 96.3% when compared to CQ, the reference antimalarial drug with 96.2%.  Conclusions: The result indicated that Ipomoea involucrata extract has antiplasmodial properties that could be exploited as alternative therapy for malaria, hence the usage in antimalarial recipe is thus justified.

Keywords: Ipomoea involucrata, Plasmodium berghei, Malaria, Convolvulaceae, Phytomedicine