ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY AND ITS EFFECT IN LIVER FUNCTION INDICES OF SAPONIN-RICH EXTRACT OF Euphorbia heterophylla LEAF IN Plasmodium berghei-INFECTED MICE

Abstract

Malaria still continues to be a menace globally despite several efforts in curtailing it. The antimalarial activity and effect in liver function indices of Saponin-rich extract of Euphorbia heterophylla leaf in plasmodium berghei- infected mice was evaluated. Thirty mice were divided into six groups. The mice in group I (control) were uninfected, while those of groups II–VI were infected intraperitoneally with standard (2 ×10^7) inoculums of chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei (NK65) parasite. Mice in groups I (control) and II (P. berghei-infected) received 0.2 ml of distilled water orally, while those of groups III–VI were treated orally with 20mg/kg body weight (b.w.) chloroquine and 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg b.w of saponin-rich extract of Euphorbia heterophylla leaf respectively for six days following the establishment of parasitaemia. The extract at all doses significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the percentage parasitaemia, and as well suppressed parasite growth and multiplication particularly at 10mg/kg. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the concentration of protein, globulin while there is significant increase (p < 0.05) in the concentration of serum and liver of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities when compared with the distilled water administered mice. FT-IR analysis of the saponin revealed the existence of aromatic compounds, alcohols, phenols alkyl groups, alkanes, primary amines, alphatic amine and alkyl halide groups which maybe adduced to the effect demonstrated by the extract.