Antiplasmodial Potential and Phytochemical Evaluation of Aqueous Root Extract of a Nigerian Medicinal Apocynaceae Plant
- June 18, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: Botany and Microbiology, IJRIAS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2021|ISSN 2454-6194
Chidiebere A. Otuu1*, Rose N. N. Obiezue1, Chris I. Okoye1, Innocent C. J. Omalu2, Innocent C. Ekuma3, Ada Q. A. Otuu4, 5, Samuel S.Eke6, Emmanuel. O. Udeh7, Suleiman C. Hassan8, Hadijah U. Yamman2 and Fabian C. Okafor1
1Parasitology and Public Health Unit, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
2Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
3Department of Biomedical Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
4Department of Public Health, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, Yaba, Lagos State.
5Department of Pharmacy, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
6Department of Biology, Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
7Centre for Integrated Health Programs, Wuse 2, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.
8Department of Zoology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author
Abstract: The increasing resistance of the malaria parasite to currently used antimalarial medicines has intensified the research for new novel antimalarial drug leads from natural sources. This study was carried out to evaluate the antiplasmodial potential, phytochemical composition and toxicity status of aqueous root extract of Alstoniaboonei (Apocynaceae), a medicinal plant used in treating malaria in Nigeria and other African countries. The extract showed substantial dose dependent antiplasmodial activity as indicated by the, suppressive (40.18%, 55.72% and 61.55% for 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1 body weights), prophylactic (51.39%, 65.27% and 68.35% for 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1 body weights), and curative (48.63%, 59.59% and 60.88% for 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1 body weights) effects on Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice. The antiplasmodial activity was significantly different compared to the negative control at P < 0.05.Chemical compounds obtained from the phytochemical evaluation of the extract include tannins, flavonoids, steroids, phenols, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and terpenoids. There were no observed signs of toxicity in all the oral doses tested on albino mice. It was concluded that the extract contains important active antimalarial compounds that are not toxic and should be further investigated for antimalarial drug development.
Keywords: Antiplasmodial, Phytochemical, Alstonia boonei, Plasmodium berghei, Suppressive, Prophylactic, Curative.
1.INTRODUCTION
The utilization of plants against diseases is believed to be derived from the chemicals available in them. Many modern medicines are derived from plants that have been used by traditional medical practitioners. Alstonia boonei is one of the many medicinal plants found in Nigeria and other African countries. The plant parts have been traditionally used to treat various ailments including malaria (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
Various chemical constituents have been isolated from A. boonei,and some of them have been found to possess a range of pharmacological activities including antimalarial activities (6, 7, 8).
