In Vivo antiplasmodial and schizont inhibition activity of methanol stem bark extract of Ficus vallis-choude

Abstract

Ficus vallis-choudae has been traditionally utilized for treating malaria, pain, jaundice, headaches, and convulsions. This study aimed to assess the antiplasmodial activity of the plant's methanol stem bark extract (FvMSE) both in vitro and in vivo. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was conducted, and the oral median lethal dose (LD50) was estimated following the OECD protocol. The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was evaluated using the schizont inhibition model as outlined by Trager and Jensen. For the in vivo assessment, mice infected with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei were used in curative, suppressive, and prophylactic experimental models. Phytochemical screening identified the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, and cardiac glycosides. The oral LD50 of FvMSE was found to be above 5000 mg/kg. The extract exhibited significant chemosuppressive activity (p<0.05) at doses of 1000, 500, and 250 mg/kg, reducing parasite density compared to the distilled water-treated group. In the prophylactic model, the extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) parasite counts in all treated groups compared to the distilled water-treated group, although its activity was lower than that of the standard drug pyrimethamine. The curative study results demonstrated that FvMSE significantly reduced (p<0.05) parasite densities compared to the distilled water-treated group. Additionally, FvMSE significantly (p<0.05) reduced the mean number of schizonts compared to the negative control, similar to the effects observed with standard drugs chloroquine and artesunate. These findings support the traditional use of Ficus vallis-choudae in treating malaria.