In-vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroethanol Crude Extract of the Roots and Leaves of Acanthospermum hispidum

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the antiplasmodial activity of extracts from Acanthospermum hispidum used in Nigeria to treat malaria. The plant leaves and roots were extracted with hydroethanol (water: ethanol 50:50 v/v) and the study was done using the Peters’ 4-day suppressive test against Plasmodium berghei ANKA in mice. The extracts were given orally to 8 groups (A-H) of five mice infected with the Plasmodium. The control group (A) received distilled water while groups B- D received daily 100, 250, and 500mg extract/kg b.wt. of leaves extract, groups F-G received 100, 250, and 500mg extract/kg b.wt. of roots extract respectively, and the group H animals received 10 mg/kg b.wt. of quinine. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the extracts was also done. The phytochemical screening
indicated the presence of all tested constituents (alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins) in the leaves extracts and the presence of all constituents except saponins in the roots extract. The in vivo results for both leave and root extract showed that, extract of A. hispidum demonstrated high parasitaemia inhibition. The test groups caused significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent reduction of schizonticidal, on the parasitaemia, with the maximum level of reduction seen at the uppermost dose. Comparatively, the leaves extract displayed higher activity than the roots extract. Therefore, the results revealed good antiplasmodial activity of A. hispidum leaves and roots at the doses used, which also correlated with the phytoconstituents, thereby lending support to the traditional use of this plant against malaria.