Activity of ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum violaceum leaves against Plasmodium berghei in mice

摘要

The antimalarial potential of the ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum violaceum leaves (13 mg/kgbody weight) was investigated in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Haematological indicesincluding the red blood cell indices, the white blood cell indices and platelet count were alsoevaluated on days 3, 8 and 14 after infection. Phytochemical screening revealed a predominanceof alkaloids (3.68 %), and phenolics (2.78 %) in the extract. The extract suppressed parasitaemiafollowing administration to infected mice by 92.3% on day 14 post-infection. The infected extracttreatedanimals had significantly higher (P<0.05) red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume(PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), and platelet count thanthe infected untreated animals. The results suggest that the extract possesses considerableantimalarial activity and may induce synthesis of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.These results support further studies on Clerodendrum violaceum leaf as a source of antimalarialremedy.