Title:Telfairia occidentalis Potentiates the Antiplasmodial Activity of Artemisinins and Amodiaquine Combination Therapy
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Aniekan S. Ebong*, Olorunfemi A. Eseyin, Emmanuel I. Etim, Jude E. Okokon , Victor U. Anah, Emmanuel E. Attih and Goodnews E. Charles
Affiliation:Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Department of Pharmacology and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo
Keywords:Antiplasmodial, parasitaemia, Telfairia occidentalis, Plasmodium berghe, amodiaquine, dihydroartemisinin.
Abstract:
Background: Drug-phytochemical interactions sometimes result in various unpredictable outcomes.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the aqueous leaf extract
of Telfairia occidentalis and its potentiation of the activity of Amodiaquine (AQ) and dihydroartemisinin
(DHA) on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.
Methods: Phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out using standard procedures. The extract
prepared in 250 and 500 mg/kg/body weight together with amodiaquine and dihydroartemisinin were administered
as a single dose and in combination to albino mice by oral gavage, adopting the standard procedures
of prophylactic, suppressive and curative antiplasmodial assay models.
Results: Phytochemical screening of the extract confirms the abundance of alkaloids, saponins and tannins.
The analysis reveals a significant (p < 0.05) competitive reduction of parasitaemia by the conventional
drugs and the extract in a dose-dependent order. The aqueous extract of T. occidentalis at 250 and 500
mg/kg gave a percentage parasitaemia reduction of 83.90 % and 85.00%, respectively when compared
with the negative control. The concurrent administration of the extract and the drugs produced a synergistic
effect in a dose-dependent order. When AQ plus DHA waer administered concurrently with 250 mg/kg
and 500 mg/kg of extract, the percentage reduction in parasitaemia increased to 99.50 % and 99.59%, respectively.
Conclusion: This shows that the aqueous extract of T. occidentalis possesses significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial
activity which is comparable to AQ and DHA. It also enhances the efficacy of the standard
drugs which indicates an advantage in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
