Background and objectives: The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Plasmodium falciparum highlights the need to develop novel antimalarial drugs. Present study explores the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of ethanol leaf extract of Thalictrum foliolosum (ELETF) against lethal murine malaria.
Methods: The acute toxicity of the extract was assessed by Limit test of Lorke. The suppressive activity of the extract was evaluated by Peter's 4 day test. In vivo preventive and curative activity of ELETF was assessed by Peter's method and Ryley and Peter's method respectively. Biochemical assays were carried out using standard methods.
Results: ELETF (1000 mg/kg) exhibited considerable in vivo schizontocidal activity with 67.11% chemosuppression on Day 5. The ED50 of the extract was 579.56 mg/kg. ELETF also showed significant repository activity with 87.70% chemosuppression at 750 mg/kg, which was greater than pyrimethamine (78.78%). ELETF exhibited dose dependent chemosuppression in the curative test with maximum 70.06% chemosuppression (750 mg/kg). Maximum Mean Survival Time (MST) was 19.2±4.60 and 22.66±4.41 days respectively in the suppressive and curative test, which was extremely statistically significant (p<0.0005) in comparison to untreated control which died by Day 9 post inoculation. Biochemical analysis revealed the safety of ELETF to the hepatic and renal functions of the rodent host.
Interpretation & conclusion: The study reports the antiplasmodial potential of Thalictrum foliolosum (ELETF) against Plasmodium berghei infection. The extract can be developed as a phytomedicine against malaria. Alternatively, the active components can be isolated as new lead compounds against the disease.
Keywords: Malaria; Plasmodium; Thalictrum foliolosum; antimalarial; traditional medicine.