Ethanol Root-extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Restored Altered Haematological Markers in Plasmodium berghei-infected Mice

Abstract

Effect of ethanol root-extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on some haematological parameters in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice was carried out using a total of thirty-six albino mice. The mice were randomly assigned into six experimental groups of A-F with six mice in each group. Mice in group A (Normal control) were administered with normal saline. Mice in groups B-F were infected with Plasmodium berghei intraperitoneally. Mice in group B (Positive control) were treated with 5 mg/Kg body weight of standard drug; mice in group C (Negative control) were left without treatment while mice in groups D, E and F were treated with graded doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/Kg body weight of the ethanol root extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum, respectively. All the mice were allowed access to water and feed without restriction. Oral route was used for the administration of the standard drug and plant extract. The treatment lasted for ten days. Percentage parasitaemia was determined on the 3rd day and last day after infection. Evaluations of haematological parameters were done using spectrophotometric method while percentage parasitaemia count was done using microscopic method. Treatment of the infected mice with the ethanol root extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum reduced parasite count significantly (P < 0.05). Infection of mice with Plasmodium berghei caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the levels of pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (HB), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) count relative to the normal control. However, treatment of P.berghei-infected mice with the ethanol root extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum at the doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/Kg body weight of the mice showed a dose-dependent significant (P < 0.05) reversal in the trend of these parameters to a level comparable to that observed among the standard control group, especially, the highest dose of 800 mg/Kg body weight. This study indicates that ethanol root extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum could be used in the management of anaemic diseases associated with Plasmodium berghei infection.