| RESEARCH PAPER |
|
| Year : 2005 | Volume
: 37
| Issue : 4 | Page : 243-246 |
Pharmacological screening and evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of Croton zambesicus against Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice
JE Okokon1, KC Ofodum1, KK Ajibesin2, B Danladi2, KS Gamaniel3
1 Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
2 Department of Pharmacognosy & Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
3 Department of Pharmacology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
J E Okokon
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.16571
Objective: To evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of leaf extract of Croton zambesicus on chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice and to confirm its traditional use as a malarial remedy in Africa.
Materials and Methods : The ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus (50-200 mg/kg) was screened for blood schizontocidal activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei infection in mice. The schizontocidal activity during early and established infections as well as the repository activity were investigated.
Results: The extract demonstrated a dose-dependent chemosuppression or schizontocidal effect during early and in established infections, and also had repository activity. The activity was lower than that of the standard drugs (chloroquine 5 mg/kg, pyrimethamine 1.2 mg/kg/day).
Conclusion: The leaf extract possesses considerable antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy.
[FULL TEXT] [PDF]*
|
