In vivo antiplasmodial activity of crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the antiplasmodial activity of leaves of Moringa oleifera. Cold extraction method was carried out on grinded leaves to prepare the crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts. Mice models (Mus musculus) were passaged with chloroquine resistant Plasmodium berghei, which are similar in morphology, physiology and life cycle to P. falciparum that infect humans. Stock solutions of 5 mg/mL 5% DMSO were prepared and the extracts were administered at different treatment concentrations, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight over 4 days. Positive and negative control groups, Chloroquine diphosphate (25 mg/kg) and 5% DMSO, respectively were set up. Crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of M. oleifera showed anti-plasmodial activity at the three different concentrations used. Both crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of M. oleifera leaves showed a significant inhibition of parasitaemia (p < 0.05) ranging from 74.7 to 95.6% for ethanolic extract and 59.3 to 87.9% for n-hexane extract. EC50 value of crude ethanolic and n-hexane extracts were 32 mg/kg and 42 mg/kg body weight, respectively. M. oleifera showed potential for possible future use as an alternative to some conventional drugs.