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Anti-plasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities of cyclotide-rich extract and fraction of <i>Oldenlandia affinis</i> (R. & S.) D.C. (<i>Rubiaceae</i>)


Chukwuemeka Sylvester Nworu
Tochukwu Ifenyinwa Ejikeme
Adaobi Chioma Ezike
Okechukwu Ndu
Theophine Chinwuba Akunne
Collins Azubuike Onyeto
Paul Okpalanduka
Peter Achunike Akah

Abstract

Background: Oldenlandia affinis, commonly called ‘kalata-kalata’, a versatile plant used locally to treat malaria fever in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa was investigated for anti-plasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities.

Objective: The study was designed to evaluate the antiplasmodial as well as anti-inflammatory activities of whole extract and cyclotide-rich fraction of Oldenlandia affinis.

Method: The dichloromethane-methanol extract (ODE) of the plant, O. affinis was investigated for suppressive and curative antiplasmodial activities against Plasmodium berghei in mice. ODE and the cyclotide-rich fraction (CRF) was investigated for chronic and acute anti-inflammatory activities in rat models of inflammation. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators was studied in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Results: ODE exhibited significant (p<0.05) reduction in mean parasitaemia in both the suppressive and curative models of Plasmodium berghei infection in mice.Administration of ODE(100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) and CRF (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) produced significant inhibition of rodent models of acute and chronic inflammation . This observation is supported by the significant (P<0.05) inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, inducible nitric oxide (iNO) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the reactive radical scavenging activities in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Conclusion: These findings could explain, at least in part, the successes reported in the use of the herb, Oldenlandia affinis in the traditional treatment of malaria fever

Keywords: Oldenlandia affinis, Reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, Plasmodium berghei, pro-inflammatory mediators, parasitemia


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eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905