In vivo Evaluation of Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) Extracts on Haematological Status and Liver Function Indices of Plasmodium berghei infected Mice

Abstract

Malaria parasite multiplication and the influence of drug dosage have been well addressed as chief bases for some pathological symptoms and proper functioning of essential body organs, respectively. This study therefore elucidated the effect of methanol extract of Weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) on some serum and liver enzymes, as well as, haematological variables in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Fifteen mice were randomly allocated into six groups of three animals each. Group I and II were given normal saline (2 ml/kg) and chloroquine (5 mg/kg) to serve as untreated and treated controls, respectively. Groups III-V received the extract at 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively. All treatments were given through the oral route. Haematological and biochemical parameters including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and total protein concentration in serum and liver of mice were evaluated following standard procedure. Results indicated that infected untreated mice had significant (p< 0.05) decrease RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV and TWBC level when compared with the normal control and mice treated with 600 mg/kg of extract. Infected untreated mice also show significant (P<0.05) decrease in the activities of AST and ALT in liver and increase in the serum. The ALP activities and total protein increased significantly (P<0.05) in liver relative to the normal control. However, treatment of the infected mice with graded dose of the O. smaragdina caused a reversal in the pattern of these parameters in a dose-dependent manner comparable to that of the standard drug. This study indicates that n-Hexane extract of O. smaragdina contain principles that may be useful in the management of anaemia and liver disorders elicited by Plasmodium berghei infection.