Nwikwe David Chukwuma, Ofeniforo Bankole Emmanuel, Asogwa Nnaemeka Tobechukwu, Nwonuma Charles Obiora, Balogun Elizabeth Abidemi
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Chemical Sciences Department (Biochemistry Unit), Faculty of Science, Kings University, PMB 555, Km 7, Gbongan-Osogbo Expressway, Odeomu, Osun, Nigeria.
Acta Parasitol. 2025 Aug 13;70(4):181. doi: 10.1007/s11686-025-01121-z.
Resistance to malaria parasites has overwhelming impacts on the host's antioxidant microenvironment, stimulating oxidative stress during nutrient hunt. Hence, settlers in malaria-ravaged communities have resorted to plant use for fever and malaria due to its availability and affordability. This work assessed the oxidative stress status through antioxidant parameters of sub-fractions of Capsicum frutescens L. fruit (CFL) aqueous extract in Plasmodium berghei (NK65)-parasitized mice.
Two hundred and four (204) mice (combined sexes) weighing 24.0 ± 3.0 g were randomized into seven Groups (n = 4) and intraperitoneally inoculated with parasitized erythrocytes (0.2 mL). Group A = 10 mL/kg normal saline (control), Group B = 10 mg/kg body weight chloroquine, and Groups C-G respectively received 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mg/kg body weight of each sub-fraction. On Days 4 and 8 post-inoculation, mice from each group were euthanized. Blood and liver were taken and prepared using standard procedures to develop homogenates of erythrocytes and liver. Assessment of lipid peroxidation using malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidants using superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase concentrations were done in the homogenates.
Treatment with CLF sub-fractions in erythrocytes and liver homogenates significantly reduced (p < 0.05) MDA levels with a concomitant increase in the untreated. Conversely, the treated groups revealed a significant increase in the antioxidant enzymes in a dose-dependent fashion compared with the untreated on Days 4 and 8 post-inoculation. However, sub-fraction B was more pronounced than sub-fractions A and C.
This study suggests that CFL sub-fractions, especially sub-fraction B, possess in vivo antiplasmodial and antioxidant potency against fever and malaria by elevating antioxidant capacity.
对疟原虫的抗性对宿主的抗氧化微环境产生巨大影响，在营养搜寻过程中引发氧化应激。因此，疟疾肆虐社区的居民因植物的可得性和可承受性，已诉诸使用植物来治疗发烧和疟疾。本研究通过评估辣椒（Capsicum frutescens L.）果实（CFL）水提取物各亚组分在感染伯氏疟原虫（NK65）小鼠中的抗氧化参数，来测定氧化应激状态。
将204只体重为24.0 ± 3.0 g的小鼠（雌雄混合）随机分为七组（每组n = 4），并腹腔注射感染疟原虫的红细胞（0.2 mL）。A组 = 10 mL/kg生理盐水（对照组），B组 = 10 mg/kg体重氯喹，C - G组分别接受各亚组分0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0和8.0 mg/kg体重的剂量。接种后第4天和第8天，对每组小鼠实施安乐死。采集血液和肝脏，采用标准程序制备红细胞和肝脏匀浆。在匀浆中使用丙二醛（MDA）评估脂质过氧化，使用超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、谷胱甘肽还原酶和谷胱甘肽S - 转移酶浓度评估抗氧化剂。
用CFL亚组分处理红细胞和肝脏匀浆后，MDA水平显著降低（p < 0.05），未处理组则相应升高。相反，与接种后第4天和第8天的未处理组相比，处理组的抗氧化酶呈剂量依赖性显著增加。然而，亚组分B比亚组分A和C更显著。
本研究表明，CFL亚组分，尤其是亚组分B，通过提高抗氧化能力，对发烧和疟疾具有体内抗疟原虫和抗氧化效力。
