Evaluation of Antimalarial Activities of the Acetone Leaf Extract of Ochna rhizomatosa (Ochnaceae) in Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice

Abstract

Ochna rhizomatosa (van Tiegh.) Keay [Ochnaceae], a plant used in the treatment of malaria in Northern Cameroun was evaluated for antimalarial activity. The antimalarial activity of acetone extract of Ochna rhizomatosa leaf obtained through cold maceration at room temperature were evaluated in albino mice infected with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei in order to justify its activity or performance as antimalarial remedy. Activities evaluated were suppressive effect and curative effect. The acute toxicity test gave an LD₅₀ value of 86 mg/kg. The in vivo antimalarial effect of the extract (86.0, 43.0 and 21.5 mg/kg body weight) against P. berghei showed significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent activity for both suppressive and curative tests. Result of blood schizonticidal activity of the acetone extract in suppressive test gave percent parasitaemia inhibition activity of 40.0%. While the curative test gave a dose dependent percent parasitaemia inhibition activity of 46.44%, highest at the highest administered dose. The schizonticidal performance were comparable to that of chloroquine which had percentage suppression of parasitaemia of 68.8%. The percentage mean survival time of the P. berghei infected mice treated with extract doses were comparable to that of the mice treated with the standard drugs (chloroquine). The result showed that the herbal extract possesses significant antimalarial potency which was comparable to that of standard antimalarial drugs used.