Antiplasmodial Activity of 80% Methanolic Extract and Solvent Fractions of Stem Bark of Acacia tortilis in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Background. Malarial infection has significant negative impact on the health of the world population. It is treated by modern and traditional medicines. Among traditional medicinal plants, Acacia tortilis is used by different communities as antimalarial agent. Therefore, the objective of this study is to validate antimalarial activity of the stem bark of Acacia tortilis in mice. Methods. To evaluate antimalarial activity of the plant, 4-day suppressive, curative, and prophylactic antimalarial test models were used. Parasitemia, packed cell volume (PCV), survival time, rectal temperature, and body weight were used to evaluate the effect of the plant extracts. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparison test. Results. The crude extract and dichloromethane fraction significantly suppressed the level of parasitemia ( $p<0.001$ ) and increased mean survival time ( $p<0.01$ ) at all tested doses. Similarly, significant effects were observed in mean survival time, % change of PCV, weight, and temperature in both curative and prophylactic antimalarial test models. Conclusions. The methanolic extract and solvent fractions of the stem bark of Acacia tortilis has shown antimalarial activity, and the finding supports the traditional use and the in vitro studies. Thus, this study can be used as an initiation for researchers to find the most active phytochemical entity and to conduct additional safety and efficacy tests.