Characterization of anti-plasmodial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory fraction of Maytenus senegalensis (lam.) Exell leaf extract in mice

Abstract

Abstract Background: The treatment inadequacy and toxicity associated with conventional anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs has called for the search of alternatives from medicinal plants, particularly, their phytochemicals with inherent pharmacological properties. In the present study, purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf was evaluated for antimalarial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Method: Antimalarial study was conducted against Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei using 4 days suppressive test, while anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies were conducted using egg albumin induced paw oedema and acetic acid induced pain model respectively. Sub-acute toxicity was assessed using serum biochemical parameters following 3 weeks administrations of the purified fraction. Results: The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf shows dose dependent antiplasmodial activity with percentage curative effects of 15.24 ± 0.89, 45.70 ± 3.43 and 48.50 ± 4.56 at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg bw against Plasmodium chabaudi and % curative effects of 44.25 ± 3.21, 72.74 ± 6.54 and 76.30 ± 8.32 respectively against Plasmodium berghei. The purified fraction exhibited 53.16 ± 4.09 and 60.76 ± 7.54 anti-inflammatory effect, 43.35 ± 4.98% and 44.83 ± 3.86% analgesic effect at 75 and 150 mg/kg bw respectively. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of 20α)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-24-nor-friedela-1(10),3,5,7-tetraen-carboxylic acid-(29)-methylester, 2(4H)-Benzofuranone, 5,6,7, 7a-tetrahydro- and 3-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-ol and a terpenes (phytol) as the major antimalarial compounds in the fraction. The purified fraction increases the serum total proteins and transaminases concentrations but had no effect on serum levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride and glucose in the mice. Conclusion: The purified fraction of M. senegalensis leaf exhibited promising antimalarial, analgesic and anti inflammatory activities. Thus, could serve as a template for the synthesis of new drug.