Toxicity and Antiplasmodial Assessments of Chromolaena odorata Leaf Extract on Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

Abstract

Introduction: This study assessed the toxicity and antiplasmodial profile of the ethanolic leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata on Plasmodium berghei -infected mice. Methods: The extract was screen qualitatively and quantitatively for phytochemical constituents. Adult Swiss albino mice (20-23 g) of n = 5/group were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei intraperitoneally and were orally treated with the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) and CQ (10 mg/kg) (Standard) daily, respectively. In the sub-acute toxicity study, mice (n = 5/group) were treated with the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) daily for 28 days, respectively. After treatments, blood samples were collected and examined for percentage parasitemia, inhibition and biochemical parameters. Results: The extract contains flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, terpernoids, glycosides and saponins. It has high flavonoids (9.04 mg) quantity and low steroids (0.41 mg) quantity. The acute toxicity study of the extract showed no mortality with 3162 mg/kg as the lethal dose 50. The extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) curative, suppressive and prophylactic antiplasmodial activities in a dose-related fashion when compared to parasitized control. Curatively, the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) produced 84.81%, 90.70% and 95.63% parasitemia inhibitions, respectively while CQ produced 94.31% parasitemia inhibition. MST was increased by the extract in a dose-dependent fashion when compared to parasitized control. The altered haematological parameters were restored by the extract in a dose-dependent fashion when compared to parasitized control. The acute toxicity study of the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) significantly impaired renal and liver function biomarkers in a dose-related fashion when compare to normal control at p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively. Conclusion: Chromolaena odorata leaf extract has promising antiplasmodial activity.