ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the antiplasmodial properties of fractions of chloroform portion of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri) methanol extract and identify a suitable chemical marker present therein. Methods: Chloroform portion of P. niruri methanol extract was separated from silica gel using gradient systems of hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The fractions were screened for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum HB3 and FcM29. Fractions with IC
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the antiplasmodial activity of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri) methanol extract (ME) and its fractions in mice.@*METHODS@#P. niruri methanol extract and its chloroform, ethanol and aqueous portions were tested against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei in early, established and repository models of infection using Knight and Peter's 4-day suppressive model, Ryley and Peters curative model and Peters prophylactic model respectively.@*RESULTS@#Chemosuppression of parasitaemia (37.65%-50.53 %) was elicited by 100-400 mg/kg (b.w.) of ME. At doses of 100 mg/kg b.w., the chloroform fraction (F1) significantly (P<0.01) suppressed parasitaemia by 85.29%, while ethanol and aqueous fractions (F2 and F3, respectively) elicited 67.06% and 51.18% chemosuppression. The most active fraction, F1 was selected for further antiplasmodial screening. In established infection, ME reduced parasitaemia (15.81%-62.96%) while F1 significantly (P<0.01) reduced parasitaemia (44.36%-90.48%), with effects comparable to that of chloroquine (96.48%). The prophylactic antiplasmodial activity of ME (92.50% suppression) was also significant (P<0.01) and was more effective than pyrimethamine (85.00%). Additionally, cell membrane integrity of non-parasitized erythrocytes incubated with 125-500 mg/mL F1 was maintained.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings indicate the antiplasmodial efficacy of P. niruri methanol extract, and the localization of this effect in its chloroform fraction.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Antimalarials , Pharmacology , Chemical Fractionation , Methods , Chloroform , Pharmacology , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Disease Models, Animal , Ethanol , Pharmacology , Malaria , Drug Therapy , Parasitology , Methanol , Pharmacology , Phyllanthus , Chemistry , Phytotherapy , Plant Components, Aerial , Chemistry , Plant Extracts , Pharmacology , Plasmodium berghei , Solvents , Pharmacology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Zizyphus spina-christi is used in ethnomedical practice for the treatment of fever. Bio-assay guided investigation of the plant's root bark was initiated and ZS-2A; a fraction from the chloroform extract of the material; eluted with hexane-ethylacetate (50:50) using flash column chromatography; was evaluated for in vivo antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Four-day suppressive; curative effect against established infection and prophylactic models of antiplasmodial studies were used. The fraction (25; 50 and 100 mg/kg; p.o.) showed a potent activity against the parasite in the suppressive and curative tests. The result suggests that ZS-2A may be a promising agent for malaria treatment