Anti-plasmodial effectiveness and Hematological effects of combined extracts of Toddalia asiatica and Carica papaya, in Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Robert Omondi 1, *, Richard Mukabana 1, Catherine Lukhoba 1 and Jeremiah Gathirwa 2

1 Department of Biology, University of Nairobi P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.
2 Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O Box 54840 Nairobi, Kenya.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(03), 1429–1436
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.22.3.1844
 
Publication history: 
Received on 12 May 2024; revised on 22 June 2024; accepted on 24 June 2024
 
Abstract: 
Background: Artemisinin-resistant parasites pose a danger to the efficacy of malaria treatment. For a very long time, pharmaceutical companies have relied on plants to provide the prototype molecules required to cure Plasmodium infections.
Objective:  To evaluate the haematological effects and anti-plasmodial efficacy of combined extracts of Toddalia asiatica and Carica papaya in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.
Methods: 30 mice were divided into 6 groups of 5 mice each. Each experimental mouse received an intraperitoneal injection of an infected blood containing 1x106 red blood cells parasitized by Plasmodium berghei, followed by daily administration of the plant extracts. Group 1-3 received 500,250 and 100 mg/kg of the plant extracts respectively. Group 4 received 500mg/kg of a combination of the two plants extracts. Finally group 5 were give distilled water while group 6 was treated with chloroquine for four consecutive days. For toxicity test the animals received 500mg/kg of the plant extracts combination for14 consecutive days.  
Results: At day three following infection, the data demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the percentage of parasite load between the infected treatment groups and the negative control group. This reduction persisted until the experiment's conclusion. The two plant extracts combined showed a reduction in parasites that was nearly identical to that of the positive control group. With the exception of MCH and Hb levels, the combination of study plants did not significantly change any of the mice's haematological indices (P > 0.05), suggesting that the combination is a reasonably safe treatment for malaria.
 
Keywords: 
Anti-Plasmodium; Toddalia asiatica; Carica papaya; Haematological; In vivo
 
Full text article in PDF: 
Share this