2020, Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part B

author(s)
Zailani AH, Iliyas MB, Benjamin L, Ibrahim BA, Ubah B and Lamiya A

abstract
Derangement in liver function indices are among the classic clinical features of malaria infection and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Colanitida leaf has been reported to possess antimalarial activity and also contain pharmacologically active phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolics. This study evaluated the effects of these phytochemicals on liver function indices of Plasmodium berghei (NK-65) infected mice. For each phytochemical, 7 groups (A-G) of five mice each were used. Group A served as normal, groups B-F were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei; group B served as untreated control while groups C-F were treated with 20mg/Kg body weight of chloroquine and12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight of the different phytochemicals respectively. Group G was treated with 50mg/Kg body weight of the phytochemicals only without parasite inoculation thus serving as extract control. Treatment commenced 72hrs after inoculation and was done once orally for four consecutive days. A week after treatment, Liver function indices including total bilirubin, albumin, total protein, the transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were evaluated. Infection with Plasmodium berghei caused a progressive increase in total bilirubin level as well as the activities of AST, ALT, and ALP and a marked decrease in total protein and albumin. Treatment with all the phytochemical extracts improved liver function indices in a dose-dependent manner comparable to the normal group. These phytochemicals were all able to restore the Plasmodium breghei induced changes in liver function indices probably through parasite clearance and/or antioxidant activities. Thus, they can be a promising source of effective antimalarial drugs individually or in combined therapy.