Anti-plasmodial activities of Combretum molle (Combretaceae) [Zwoo] seed extract in Swiss albino mice.

OBJECTIVE

Objective of the study was to evaluate in vivo anti-plasmodial activities of Combretum molle seed extract.

METHODS

As a standard protocol, initially the acute toxicity of the plant seed extract was checked following single administration of crude seed extract of the plant at doses 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg. This was followed by evaluation of anti-plasmodial activity of crude seed extract of the plant following a 4 days suppressive test.

RESULTS

In acute toxicity study sign of toxicity was not observed. Also physical and behavioural changes were not detected. The crude seed extract of C. molle showed, 63.5% parasite suppression in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) murine parasite and treated with 250 mg/kg of seed extract of C. molle. Relative survival time of mice treated with 250 mg/kg showed significantly longer survival than the negative control, while lower than mice treated with the standard drug, chloroquine. The plant seed extract on day-4 post-infection showed significant (P < 0.05) protection against body weight reduction, high body temperature and hemolysis of RBC at relatively lower doses. At optimum dose the crude extract of C. molle seed has good chemo-suppressive activity against PbA parasite and improved some clinical symptoms of malaria in mice.