Antimalaria and Hematological Properties of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Pennisetum purpureum on Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice

Abstract

Through bite from a female Anopheles mosquito, Malaria is transmitted by infection with single-celled parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Studies have shown it to be characterized by periodic bouts of severe chills, accompanied with high fever. It has been suggested that Pennisetum purpureum possess antiplasmodial effects, however, no scientific record(s) yet exist(s) to validate this claim. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the anti-malaria and haematological properties of ethanol leaf extract of P. purpureum in Plasmodium berghei -infected mice. Thirty-Five (35) albino mice (20g) were procured, acclimatized (for two weeks) and assigned to five groups of 7 mice each. With group I receiving standard rat feed ad-libitum (control), Groups II through V were respectively infected with Plasmodium berghei (malaria infected, untreated), Plasmodium berghei infected + treated with 5mg/kg body weight of Artesunate (malaria infected, Artesunate treated), infected with Plasmodium berghei + treated with 200mg/kg body weight of Pennisetum  purpureum (malaria infected, low dose extract treated), and infected with Plasmodium berghei + treated with 400mg/kg body weight of Pennisetum  purpureum (malaria infected, high dose extract treated). After 21 days of administration, mice were sacrificed, blood samples collected, centrifuged for 10 minutes at 300g, and resulting supernatant biochemically analysed for hematologic changes. Result showed a significant increase in initial parasite count across groups except control. Administration of Artesunate also caused a significant (p < .05) reduction in parasite counts upon comparison with control. More so, administration of low and high dose extract caused a significant (p < .05) reduction in parasite count following comparison with control. Administration of 200mg/kg caused the highest parasitemia suppression than high dose. We recommend for further evaluation of the plant in other to identify active ingredients responsible for the observed antimalarial activity.