The most severe form of malaria is caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which undergoes antigenic variation. However, plant products continue to make an immense contribution to malaria chemotherapy. In this research, the inhibitory effect of C. citratus and P. reticulatum on schizont maturation was investigated using in vitro assay. Also effect of the extract on some enzymatic and non-enzyme liver markers was determined after subchronic oral administration to albino rat. From the result it was observed that C. citratus extract and P. reticulatum inhibited schizont formation with an IC50 of 7.25 mg/l and 3.25 mg/l respectively. The several concentrations used for this research did not significantly change the values of serum total proteins, Albumin, Total bilirubin and Conjugated bilirubin when compared with the control values. Similarly, we did not observe any significant (P < 0.05) difference in the liver enzyme markers in both plant extract tested, neither were they dose dependent. The finding of this research is a proof of concept that C. citratus and P. reticulatum extract have antimalarial activity and may be safe for the management of malaria disease.
Key words: Cymbopogon citratus , Piliostigma reticulatum, Plasmodium falciparum, Enzyme Inhibition and Toxicity.
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