ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIMALARIAL POTENTIAL OF Triumfetta cordifolia LEAF INFUSION IN MICE INFECTED WITH Plasmodium berghei NK65

ABSTRACT

Triumfetta cordifolia leaf infusion is useful for managing malaria in Nigeria. This study assessed the ability of the extract to treat malaria in mice. Three different doses (50, 100 & 250 mg/kg b.wt.) were studied. Forty two male mice were randomly placed in 6 groups containing 7 mice each and labeled as groups 1-6 . Mice in groups 2-6 were infected with 2 x 10⁵ P. berghei. Three hours after that, group 2 mice were administered the vehicle (normal saline). Mice in group 3 were administered 25 mg/kg b.wt. chloroquine whereas mice in groups 4-6 were administered the extract at various doses. Administration was done for four days. On day 5, 3 mice were sacrificed and their spleen taken to compute spleen index. Prior to sacrifice the mice body weight was taken. Smear was made from the lateral tail vein of the remaining 4 mice in each group. There was a dose-dependent decrease in parasitemia of mice administered the extract. Mice administered 100 and 250 mg/kg b.wt. of the extract decreased parasitemia in a comparable manner as chloroquine. Spleen index of mice in both groups was significantly increased as compared to mice in chloroquine-treated group, suggesting that the extract may be inducing splenic clearance of parasite from the blood. The result of the study provides scientific evidence for the use of Triumfetta cordifolia leaf infusion in the management of malaria.