Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Cymbopogon citratus on Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Swiss Albino Mice Infected With Plasmodium berghei Nk 65

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the haematological and biochemical effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus in swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (NK65). A total of 16 albino mice were randomized into four groups of four mice each for acute toxicity and body weight of mice were measured before and after acute toxicity. A total of 35 mice were randomized into five groups; 1, 2 and 3 (treatment groups), 4 (positive control group) and 5 (negative control group) for biochemical and haematological assay. The mice in all groups were infected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL of Plasmodium berghei and were treated for six consecutive days orally with ethanol leaf extract dosages of 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight, standard antimalarial drug (chloroquine) as positive control and normal saline as negative control respectively. Haematological analysis revealed significant (P < 0.05) decreased in value of pack cell volume (PCV) haemoglobin (HB), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) for mice of negative control (infected, but not treated), compared to infected and ethanolic treated groups that recorded high values while mice of chloroquine treated group showed highest value of PCV, HB, RBC and PLT. There was a significant difference in the level of AST and ALT levels in mice of all groups. The observed values of AST and ALT level in the highest ethanol extract treated group (800mg/kg) was 181.00±1.00, 20.00±1.00, these values was lower compared to the groups tested with 200 mg/kg (192.00±2.00, 35.00±1.0) and 400 mg/kg (192.00±2.00, 35.00±1.0) of the extract and significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with the mice of positive controls group (180.00±2.00, 20.00±1.0). This study revealed the potency of Cymbopogon citratus as a future herbal candidate that can enhances and boost biochemical and  haematological indices.