Antimalarial activity of the 80%methanol extract and solvent fractions of Cucumis ficifolius A. rich roots against Plasmodium berghei in mice

Gizachew Kassahun Bizuneh; Getnet Tadege; Betelhem Sirak; Abyot Endale Gurmu; Betelhem Anteneh Adamu; Aschalew Mulatu Tefera; Yeniewa Kerie Anagaw

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13690

Antimalarial activity of the 80%methanol extract and solvent fractions of Cucumis ficifolius A. rich roots against Plasmodium berghei in mice

Heliyon. 2023 Feb 11;9(2):e13690. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13690. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Authors

Gizachew Kassahun Bizuneh¹, Getnet Tadege², Betelhem Sirak³, Abyot Endale Gurmu¹, Betelhem Anteneh Adamu¹, Aschalew Mulatu Tefera¹, Yeniewa Kerie Anagaw⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
² Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, P. O. Box 260, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, P. O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Malaria is still a known health threat, especially in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the frequently mentioned issues with hospital admission and outpatient care in Ethiopia. Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich roots are historically used in Ethiopia to treat meningitis, inflammation, and malaria. However, the antimalarial activity of this plant has not been scientifically studied so far.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to determine the in vivo antimalarial activity of 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of the roots of Cucumis ficifolius against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice.

Methods: The in vivo antimalarial activity of the 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich was evaluated by standard chemo suppressive, curative and repository tests using Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) in Swiss albino mice at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day. The level of parasitemia, survival time, variation in weight, rectal temperature, and packed cell volume of mice were determined to establish the activity of the extracts.

Result: The 80% methanol extract of Cucumis ficifolius A. Rich roots had a promising suppression of parasitemia at 400 mg/kg with a chemosuppression value of 65.21 ± 1.20%. Among the solvent fractions, the chloroform fraction showed the highest antimalarial activity in the four-day suppressive test with a chemosuppression value of 55.9 ± 0.28%, followed by the n-butanol (42.9 ± 0.24%), and aqueous (40.57 ± 0.52%) fractions at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The highest survival times were observed with crude extract (15.4 ± 0.24 days) at 400 mg/kg, and chloroform fraction (13.4 + 0.24 days), though all extracts increased survival time.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study collectively indicate the root extract of Cucumis ficifolius has a promising antiplasmodial activity which substantiates the traditional claim of the plant.

Keywords: Antimalarial activity; Cucumis ficifolius; Plasmodium berghei.