Antiplasmodial Effect ofAnthocleista vogeliion Albino Mice Experimentally Infected withPlasmodium berghei berghei(NK 65)

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antiplasmodial effect of the ethanolic stem bark extract ofAnthocleista vogeliiat different doses in albino mice infected withPlasmodium berghei berghei(NK 65). Thirty-six mice were divided into six groups of six mice each. Five groups (B1–B3, D, and G) were infected withPlasmodium berghei bergheiparasitized red blood cells. Groups D, H, and G served as the controls. Six days after infection, mice in groups B1, B2, and B3were treated orally with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight ofAnthocleista vogelii,respectively, for six executive days. Group D was treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine while Group G was given distilled water. Group H was not infected and was not treated. It served as the normal control. The extracts exhibited significant(P<0.05)dose-dependent chemosuppression ofP. berghei. The extract exhibited average chemosuppressive effects of 48.5%, 78.5%, and 86.6% at dose levels of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Phytochemical screening of the plant extract revealed the presence of saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids, and steroid. The acute toxicity (LD50) of the plant was estimated to be 3162 mg/kg body weight. It showed that the stem bark ofA. vogeliipossesses antiplasmodial property.