Antimalarial Potentials of A queous root and Leaf extracts of Axonopous compressus in Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Abstract

Aqueous extracts of Axonopus compressus were studied as an antimalarial herbal medication in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Sixty-five adult albino mice were randomly selected into eight groups (A-I). The control group (A) was not infected and received distilled water for ten days. Group (B) was infected but not treated. Group C rats were infected but treated with chloroquine. Mice in groups D, E, and F were administered 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg/kg body weight leaf aqueous extract of Axonopus compressus respectively, while mice in groups GH and I received 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg/kg body weight aqueous root extract of Axonopus compressus respectively upon infection with Plasmodium berghei. Parasitaemia and chemosuppression levels in all the groups of infected mice were determined. The mice were then sacrificed ten days after the last administration and blood was collected into the heparinized tube for hematological study. The results showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the parasitemia level and an increase in the chemo suppression in the 31.25 mg/kg b.wt leaf extract as well as 62.5 mg/kg b.wt root extract comparable to the reference drug (Chloroquine). There was also a significant increase (P<0.05) in the white blood cells (WBC) and a decrease in the Red blood cell, packed cell volume (PCV), heamoglobin, and lymphocyte in all the infected animal groups relative to control, extract treated groups, and the chloroquine treated groups. These results, therefore, suggest that the aqueous extract of Axonopus compressus leaf possesses antimalarial activity without causing any adverse effect on the hematological parameters. Key words: Axonopus compressus, antimalarial potential, haematological parameters