The Antimalarial Effect and Mechanism of Action of Methanolic Root Extract of Boerhaavia diffusa in Mice
Journal Title: Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International - Year 2015, Vol 8, Issue 2
Abstract
Aims: This study evaluated the antimalarial effect of methanolic root extract of Boerhaavia diffusa and its mechanism of action in Mice. Study Design: One-factor two control groups experimental design. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, between October 2012 and May 2013. Methodology: The crude methanolic root extract of the plant was tested for its in vivo anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium berghei NK 65 (chloroquine resistant strain) using the three malaria models; suppressive, curative and prophylactic tests. Six different groups of albino mice of both sexes weighing 18 – 20 g (n=5 or 6) were randomly selected for the study. Group 1 was the control (normal saline, 10 ml/kg, p.o.), group 2 was the positive control (chloroquine, 10 mg/kg, p.o.), groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with methanolic root extract at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., respectively, while group 6 was Nifedipine (15 mg/kg). The method of calcium colorimetry was also adopted for assaying the mechanism through which the extract acted. Results: B. diffusa displayed antimalarial activity at all dose levels in all the three models, though optimum activity of the extract was displayed at the lowest dose (125 mg/kg) in suppressive and prophylactic models and at day 10 in curative model. The dose of 500 mg/kg had the highest activity at day 9 in curative model. The dose of 125 mg/kg again showed the best antipyretic effect in suppressive model at day 3 and this corresponds to its antimalarial activity. At 500 mg/kg, the extract lowered plasma calcium level better than the positive control (1.043 mmol/L compared with 1.35 mmol/L for nifedipine). Conclusion: The methanolic root extract of B. diffusa possessed antimalarial and antipyretic effects which confirm its folkloric use in the treatment of malaria and fever.
Authors and Affiliations
D. I. Adefokun, E. O. Iwalewa, N. O. Omisore, E. Obuotor, I. J. Idowu
Keywords
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- EP ID EP344300
- DOI 10.9734/BJPR/2015/13606
- Views 91
- Downloads 0
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