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Anti-plasmodial
and toxicological effects of methanolic bark extract of
Chrysophyllum albidum in albino mice
E. O. Adewoye1, A. T.
Salami2 and V. O. Taiwo3*
1Department
of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan,
Oyo State, Nigeria.
2Department
of Nursing Science, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State,
Nigeria.
3Department
of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan, Oyo State,
Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
seguntaiwo13@yahoo.com.
Accepted 12 March, 2010 |
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The anti-plasmodial, hematological, serum biochemical and
pathological effects of Chrysophyllum albidum
methanolic bark extract were evaluated using Swiss
albino male mice as models. The plant is used in Southern
Nigeria as a remedy for malaria and yellow fever. The LD50
of the methanolic extract was 1850 mg/kg body weight. C.
albidum methanolic bark extract (750 - 1500 mg/kg/day)
exhibited significant (P < 0.05) schizontocidal activities
both in a 4-day (early) infection and in an established (> 7
days) infection with a considerable mean survival time
comparable to that of chloroquine. The plant extract treated
mice did not develop appreciable anemia. This observation
shows that the methanolic extract of C. albidum
contains anti-plasmodial substance(s) which help to reduce
parasitaemia and hence the rate of erythrocyte destruction
during infection. Organ and tissue pathology during
infection was milder at low doses, compared to the untreated
mice and insignificant at higher doses of the extract,
showing that the extract is non-toxic. It also validates the
local consumption of the extracts of C. albidum as an
anti-malarial agent. Further studies need to be done to
identify and characterize the active principles/substances
in the extract. This study has implications in future
development of antimalarial drugs with little or no
cytotoxic effect.
Key words:
Chrysophyllum albidum, anti-plasmodial, haematology, serum
biochemistry, organ pathology, albino mice. |
