Antiplasmodial effects of Carica papaya extract on haematological markers of Albino Wistar rats infected with Plasmodium berghei
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Research Article
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2021, 01(02), 239–247.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijbpsa.2021.1.2.0051
Publication history:
Received on 29 April 2021; revised on 01 June 2021; accepted on 06 June 2021
Abstract:
In view of resistance of the malaria parasite to antimalarial drug therapy, which leads to drug failure, new drugs or drug combinations are urgently required for the treatment of malaria infections from traditional medicinal plants. The antiplasmodial effects of Carica papaya extract on haematological markers of albino rats infected with Plasmodium berghei was determined using three control groups (Normal, negative, and positive control) and five experimental groups with each representing the extract concentrations (100, 300, 500, 800 and 1000mg/kg). After initiation of malaria infection through intraperitoneal inoculation, measurement of the level of parasitaemia over a five-day period revealed a progressively decrease in the treated group. On the other hand, the untreated group showed a progressive increase in parasitemia level with average percentage parasitized red cells as 11.33±1.97 on the first day post inoculation and 18.15±1.49 on the fifth day. While the haematological result showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in values of Red blood cell, Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin and neutrophils in the inoculated groups, there was an increase in the treated groups, all of which were concentration-dependent. Conclusively, it can be inferred that the leaves of Carica papaya have antiplasmodial potentials and can therefore be purified employed in the development of antimalarial drugs.
Keywords:
Antibiotic; Resistance; Medicinal plants; Malaria; Carica papaya; Plasmodium
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