In vivo antimalarial efficacy of Psidium guajava leaf crude extract and fractions in Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the protozoan parasite, Plasmodium. The emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium species to currently available antimalarials has necessitated the search for more effective drugs. This study evaluated the antimalarial potential of the crude extract and fractions of Psidium guajava leaf in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Method: Mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) were administered orally with the crude extract and fractions at doses ranging from 100-500 and 50-200mg/kg/day respectively, for five consecutive days. Results: The crude extract significantly (p<0.05) inhibited parasite growth as well as prevented body weight loss and packed cell volume reduction dose-dependently. Among the fractions, aqueous fraction was the most active with 54.26% inhibition of parasite growth at 200mg/kg. Remarkable inhibition of parasite growth by the crude extract and aqueous fraction was evident in the prolongation of mice survival relative to the control (27.33±1.76, 24.67±0.67, 28.0±1.16 and 8.33±0.67 for crude extract (500mg/kg), aqueous fraction (200mg/kg), chloroquine and negative control groups respectively). Phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of phenol, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Conclusion: The results indicate that crude extract and aqueous fraction of P. guajava leaf are potent antimalarial agent that can be employed in the development of antimalarial drugs.