JOURNAL OF LIAONING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

ANTIPLASMODIAL EFFICACY AND TOXICITY PROFILE OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF TITHONIA DIVERSIFOLIA IN PLASMODIUM BERGHEI-INFECTED MICE

Abolarin, Raphael Kayode, Alagbadaola Akinola, Omodara, Anthony Mayowa

Abstract

Malaria is a mosquito borne infection of human and animals caused by parasitic protozoan's belonging to the plasmodium species. Malarial is a public health problem most especially in tropical countries where majority bear the burden of the disease. Due to emergence of resistance of malaria to some of the drug used, medicinal plant has also proved a potent means of treatment. Medicinal plant or herbs derived from plant and used for the treatment and prevention of disease have been important in all culture throughout history. The significant of their ameliorative and preventive effectiveness in various diseases is seen today in their continued use. Herbal remedies for different ailment including malaria. broadens the horizon of knowledge in the area of natural product chemistry as well as benefiting people immensely by lowering the cost of treatment of ailment. The antiplasmodal effect of methanolic extract of Tithonia diversifolia were evaluated in swiss albino mice infected with chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei. Activities investigated were curative effect against established infection, in which the parasitaemia level were assessed by counting the parasitized and total red blood cells in Giemsa- stained smears. Toxicity effect on haematological parameters, using haematology analyser and serum electrolytes using spectrophotometetry analysis and histological analysis of the liver and kidney in mice. The extract shows a dose dependent blood schizonticidal activity. The invivo antiplasmodal effect of the extract (100,200, and 400mg/kg.body weight) show significant increase (p<0.05) in dose dependent activity for curative test, significant increase in percentage parasitaemia clearance as 66.39%, 70.40%, and 78.94% respectively. Extract show a significant increase in the white blood cell and red blood cell, also a significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in potassium ion and alkaline phosphatase concentration. The histological analysis shows that the extract does not have a significant effect on the selected organ based on the doses used. The results of this study suggest that the extract have a considerable antiplasmodal property but care must be taken by the local producer and consumer in avoiding indiscriminate use of the plant as increase dose may be lethal.

Keywords: Methanolic Leaf Extract, Malarial, Dried leaf, Antiplasmodial.