Antimalarial Activity of the Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Stem of Momordica Charantia in Plasmodium Berghei Infected Mice

Abstract

Introduction: The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium strains, especially Plasmodium falciparum, has become a major concern for health professionals when it comes to malaria prophylaxis and treatment, limiting medication options, necessitating the search for new antimalarial drugs derived from plants. In mice infected with Plasmodium berghei, the antimalarial function of Momordica charantia stem crude methanolic extract and solvent fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous) was examined. Method: Starting on the day the infection was identified, the extract and fractions were administered continuously for four days. Tween 80 (0.3 ml) was given to the control group, while the standard reference drugs were chloroquine (10 mg/kgbw) and arteether (3 mg/kgbw) which were given for three days. The crude extract and fractions were tested for antimalarial activity in Plasmodium berghei infected mice using a four-day suppressive test. Result: At 500 mg/kgbw, the crude extract, hexane fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and aqueous fraction developed 80.62, 90.09, 91.23, and 81.72 per cent chemosuppression respectively, on day 6 after infection. Chemosuppression was 100% for chloroquine and 90% for arteether. Conclusion: These results showed that the crude extract and solvent fractions of Momordica charantia stem had antiplasmodial efficacy comparable to the reference drug, indicating that the plant could be used as a natural antimalarial agent.