Antimalarial effect of ethanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia stem-bark in Plasmodium berghei-NK 65 infected mice

Abstract Background The use of Parinari curatellifolia for the management of malaria by Africans without scientific validation, prompted this study, to investigate the antimalarial effect of ethanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia stem bark (EEPCSB) in Plasmodium berghei (NK-65)-infected mice. Method Thirty mice (16–21 g) were grouped into six of five mice each. Group 1 (uninfected) served as normal control while groups 2–6 were infected. Group 2 (positive control) was untreated while group 3 (standard control) received 20/120 mg/kg b.w. of arthemeter/lumefantrine, groups 4–6 received 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w. of EEPCSB respectively. The treatment lasted for four consecutive days. Parasitemia, heamatological and biochemical tests were carried out using established methods. The obtained data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Result The extract significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed the parasitemia, and produced significant (p < 0.05) increase in the PCV, RBC, and Hgb and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the WBC of groups 4–6 compared to the positive control. The liver function marker enzymes - AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin were all significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the treated animals, while there was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL, and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the HDL of the infected animals compared to the positive control. While there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in lipid peroxidation marker MDA in the treated groups, the activities of the SOD and catalase, significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to the positive control. The GSH concentration reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in the treated groups compared to the untreated group. Conclusion The extract showed excellent antimalarial effect by reducing parasitemia and reversing haematological and biochemical aberrations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice as demonstrated in this study. Therefore, Parinari curatellifolia stem bark could be a source of lead compound for a novel and effective antimalarial drug.