Ethanol Extract of Salacia nitida Root Bark Ameliorates Lipid Peroxidation and Hepatosplenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei Malaria-Infected Mice

Abstract

The root bark of Salacia nitida L. benth (celastraceae) is used as a remedy for malaria and typhoid fever in the Southern part of Nigeria. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of treatment with ethanol extract from the root bark of S. nitida on lipid peroxidation, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei malaria-infected mice. Thirty P. berghei-infected and six uninfected mice were used for the study. 280, 430, and 580 mg/kg b. w/day of ethanolic extract and 4 mg/kg b. w/day of artesunate were administered orally to infected mice in groups B, C, D, and E, while 4 ml/kg b. w/day of physiological saline was given to infected untreated mice in group A and the uninfected untreated mice in group F. Treatments were administered for five days. Levels of malondialdehyde were measured as means of assessing lipid peroxidation. Weights of experimental animals, liver, spleen were recorded, and the length of spleen was taken by planimetry. Animal’s liver and spleen-body weight ratios were determined. Results from the study showed a significant decrease in levels of malondialdehyde and a significant increase in body weights. Significant decreases were observed in liver and spleen weights, lengths of the spleen, and organ-body weight ratios of malaria-infected treated mice. This study confirmed anti-plasmodic activity of ethanol extract of S. nitida root bark probably via reduced lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in P. berghei-infected mice, as it is seen in its ability to attenuate lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in mice.