Evaluation of antimalarial potential of a herbal preparation containing the fallen leaves of female Carica papaya L (Caricaceae) AND Citrus aurantifolia C (Rutaceae) on Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Abstract

Background: Herbal preparations offers a complementary and alternative treatment of various diseases, including malaria. 

Aim: The aim  of this study was to evaluate the antimalaria potential of a herbal preparation containing Carica papaya and Citrus aurantifolia on  malaria infected mice. 

Methods: A 100g of the powdered female Carica papaya fallen leaves was decocted with 20%v/v Citrus aurantifolia  juice. The extract was assessed for acute toxicity using Lorke’s method. The antimalarial assay involving prophylaxis, suppressive and  curative assessment of the extract was done in vivo using Chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei infected mice. The extract was  screened for phytochemical constituents. Fourier Transform Infra-red analysis was carried out. 

Results: The LD₅₀ was estimated to be  5000mg because the animals showed no signs of toxicity. The prophylactic evaluation showed that 400 and 800mg/kg exhibited  significant reduction of the parasitemia level against the control group. The suppressive study exhibited significant reduction of the  parasitemia level against the control group while the curative study has no significant reduction. The phytochemical screening of the  herbal combination showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, deoxy sugars and triterpenes. The FTIR showed the presence of  -NH, -OH, =C- and -CH. 

Conclusion: Herbal preparation of the 2 extracts is safe and has prophylaxis and suppressive effect but had no  significant curative effect from the study. Therefore, the use of the herbal preparation in malaria prevention is evidently supported but  not for malaria cure.