Abdu Zakari
Federal University, Nigeria
Title: In vivo evaluation of antimalarial properties of Myosortis Scorpioides L. (Boraginaceae) extract in albino mice using P. Bergei
Biography
Biography: Abdu Zakari
Abstract
Ground crude sample of Myosortis scorpioides L was extracted with hot methanol in a Soxhelet extractor and evaporated in a Rotary evaporator. The extract was screened for the presence of secondary metabolites, tested for the median lethal dose (LD50) and antimalarial efficacy using Swiss albino mice. Objectively, the research was to evaluate the in vivo acute toxicity (hence the practically safe dose) and three model antimalarial investigation (prophylactic, curative, and suppressive tests) of the plant extract. The result of the phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and anthraquinones. The extract was found to be very toxic to the mice (LD50 = 2,828.43mg/Kg), which guided the choice for practically safe dose in the antimalarial evaluations. The result of the suppressive test (early malaria infection) showed a significant % suppression compared to the control with values of 49.91%, 56.72%, and 65.63% for the doses 100mg/ kg, 150mg/kg, and 250mg/kg respectively. The result of the prophylactic (residual malaria infection) tests showed a significant level of inhibition compared to the control (43.22%, 52.45%, and 85.70%) for the three doses as above. The curative (established malaria infection) tests also showed a significant level of parasite suppression compared to the control with % suppression of 66.73%, 70.20%, and 73.96% for the doses 100, 150, and 250mg/kg respectively. Plasmodium berghei (a protozoan parasite) was used in this study to investigate the efficacy of the plant under investigation as remedy to malaria disease. Currently the isolation of pure compounds from the plant extract is nearing completion which will be followed by spectroscopic analysis and in vitro antiplasmodial studies of the pure compounds at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat – Oman. The result has justified the use of Myosortis scorpioides L as remedy to malaria infection by the traditional medicine practitioners in Adamawa State Nigeria.