Evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of ethanol extract and fractions of Maesobotrya barteri root

Abstract

Maesobotrya barteri is a medicinal plant that is used by the Ibibios of Southern Nigeria, to treat various ailments including malaria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of ethanol extract and fractions of M. barteri root in Plasmodium berghei berghei infected Swiss albino mice. Phytochemical screening of the root revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, terpenes and cardiac glycosides. Ethanol extract (100 – 300mg/kg/day) was screened for antiplasmodial activity in mice. Schizonticidal effects in early and established infections were investigated. Antiplasmodial effect of butanol and n-hexane fractions of the root extract (200mg/kg/day) were also evaluated. Intraperitioneal administration of 100 – 300mg/kg of ethanol extract resulted in gradual, dose-dependent decrease in parasitaemia, in both the suppressive and curative tests. Reduction in parasitaemia was also observed when butanol and n-hexane fractions were administered. The antiplasmodial effects of 200 and 300mg/kg of the extract and the butanol fraction (200mg/kg) were statistically significant (p<0.05) when compared with their controls. Chloroquine (5mg/kg), performed better than the extracts and fractions in terms of antiplasmodial activity in all the tests carried out. Mice treated with the negative control (distilled water) survived fewer days (14.67 ± 0.90) than those treated with the extracts (18.00 ± 0.36 – 26.30 ± 0.56) and the fractions (25.00 ± 0.36 and 27.00 ± 0.36, for n-hexane and butanol respectively). Mice treated with chloroquine survived beyond the observation period of 28 days. The root of M. barteri holds antiplasmodial potential which should be further explored.

Keywords: Antimalarial, extract, fractions, Maesobotrya barteri