ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BAUHINIA MONANDRA IN PLASMODIUM BERGHEI INFECTED MICE

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria remains an infectious illness consistently associated with significant levels
of sickness, death, and resistance to medications.
Aim: This study evaluated the antimalarial activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Bauhinia
monandra in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.
Methods: Intraperitoneal inoculation of resistant ANKA clones of P. berghei was performed on
25 mice (5 per group), while 5 mice remained uninfected as a control (Group 6). Group 5 was
infected and received distilled water only, and Group 4 was treated with artemisinin combination
therapy (ACT). Groups 1, 2, and 3 received oral doses of B. monandra extract at 50, 100, and 150
mg/kg body weight for three days, respectively. Parasitaemia levels were determined using the
microscopic method. The extract was assessed for its phytochemical components following
established methods. Also, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the plant was
carried out using standard methods. The effect of the leaf extract on hematological parameters and
liver enzymes was also evaluated using standard methods.
Results: Results exhibited a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent reduction in parasitemia among
mice treated with B. monandra throughout the treatment period. The findings indicated that
alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phenols, and steroids present in the
plants were 1.36%, 5.15%, 4.18%, 1.10%, 3.30%, 3.11 mg/l, and 0.083%, respectively.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of B. monandra as a promising antimalarial
agent due to its substantial impact on parasitemia and the presence of essential phytochemicals.