Toxicological Evaluation and Protective Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Cassia spectabilis DC on Liver and Kidney Function of Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

Abstract

Currently, the presence of antimalarial drug resistance has become a major obstacle in the treatment of malaria. To overcome the problem, a series of studies are needed to find new antimalarial drugs from plants. Previously, 90% ethanolic extract of Cassia spectabilis DC (EECS) leaves have been reported to have antimalarial activity in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum and in vivo against Plasmodium berghei ANKA. The research is conducted to find out the toxicity and protective effects of EECS on the liver and kidneys of mice infected with P. berghei ANKA. The acute and subacute toxicity tests were carried out on healthy mice that were given EECS at a dose of 150 mg/kg BW. An antimalarial activity test was carried out at doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg BW in P. berghei-infected mice. Regarding hepatomegaly, further plasma levels of hepatic enzyme were analyzed, as well as histopathological observation of the liver to determine the effect of the extract on liver. The kidney was observed histopathologically as well. The acute toxicity test of EECS showed that there was no mouse died at the highest dose, indicating safe for the mice. The subacute toxicity based on the histology data showed no significant difference in the liver and kidney of mice between the tested group and the healthy group. The histological and enzymatic effect of EECS in mice infected with P. berghei showed the histological and enzymatic effect that improved liver function and the histopathological effect on kidneys with the highest activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW compared with the negative control. The results showed the EECS was not toxic in mice and repaired the liver and kidney functions of P. berghei ANKA-infected mice, indicating a good candidate for antimalarial drug development.