Therapeutic potentials of nigerian insect-propolis against the malarial parasite, Plasmodium berghei (Haemosporida: Plasmodidae)

Abstract

This study reports the results of bio-assay of extract of Nigerian honey-bee propolis against Plasmodium berghei. Extract was tested for acute oral toxicity anti-plasmodial efficacy following standard protocols, using 15 healthy mice experimentally infected with P. berghei. The mice were randomized into three groups and intra-peritoneally injected daily with 0.2 mL kg−1 body weight saline solution (Negative Control); 600 mg kg−1 (Test experiment) and 5 mg kg−1 Chloroquine diphosphate (Positive Control). Thin blood smear was used to determine levels of parasitaemia while, Erythrocyte Packed Cell Volume (PCV) was estimated Days 0, 4 and 7. The results showed that the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced level of parasitaemia in the treated mice, with peak activity recorded on the last day of observation; a pattern distinctly different from the positive Control. There was a general increase in PCV till Day 4 before dropping significantly, especially. Survivorship of mice treated with extract was not significantly different from those treated Chloroquine.