Okokon J.E., Ofodum K.C., Ajibesin K.K., Danladi B., Gamaniel K.S.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacology, National Institute for
Okokon, J.E., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria; Ofodum, K.C., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria; Ajibesin, K.K., Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria; Danladi, B., Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria; Gamaniel, K.S., Department of Pharmacology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria
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.
chloroquine; croton zambesicus extract; plant extract; pyrimethamine; unclassified drug; animal cell; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; article; controlled study; croton zambesicus; drug activity; drug screening; female; malaria; male; medicinal plant; mouse; nonhuman; phytochemistry; Plasmodium berghei