In vivo antimalarial activity and acute toxicity of organic and aqueous leaf, stem and root extracts of Ajuga integrifolia Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don.
Ajuga integrifolia extracts showed promising antimalarial activity in mice, particularly the organic stem extracts, but further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the ghrp-6 corpusSummary and findings
The study measured the in vivo antimalarial activities and acute toxicity of leaf, stem, and root extracts of Ajuga integrifolia in Swiss albino mice. The organic stem extracts at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day suppressed parasite growth by 66.73%. Aqueous stem extracts at 1000 mg/kg/day achieved a parasite suppression of 64.14%.
Abstract
<h4>Ethnopharmacological relevance</h4>Globally, about 500,000 people die annually due to malaria. Emergence of drug-resistant parasite strains is the main driver of the reported malaria cases and deaths. Therefore, there is a desperate need for alternative therapies with unique biological targets within the Plasmodium parasite. Antimalarial plants offer possible sources for such antimalarial compounds. Antimalarial drugs derived from plants, artemisinin and its derivatives, and quinine, are among the currently available antimalarial drug therapies. Communities in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Pakistan have used Ajuga integrifolia to treat malaria in folk medicine.<h4>Aim of the study</h4>The study aimed to determine the in vivo antimalarial activities and acute toxicity of leaf, stem, and root extracts of A. integrifolia.<h4>Methodology</h4>Dose levels of organic (dichloromethane/methanol 1:1 v/v) and aqueous leaf, stem and root extracts were determined using a modified Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) method for oral acute toxicity. Peter's 4-day suppressive test was used to determine the antimalarial activities of the organic and aqueous leaf and stem extracts and organic roots extracts of A. integrifolia using Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (ANKA).<h4>Results</h4>Oral acute toxicity tests showed that organic leaf, stem, and root extracts were safe at 500 mg/kg, and aqueous leaf and stem extracts were safe at 1000 mg/kg. Most mice displayed a gradual increase in weight, with no physical and behavioural signs of toxicity observed. The most effective parasite clearance against P. berghei was observed using aerial parts of A. integrifolia. Specifically, organic stem extracts of 500 mg/kg/day suppressed parasite growth by 66.73%, while aqueous stem extracts of 1000 mg/kg/day achieved a parasite suppression of 64.14% in Swiss albino mice. Similarly, organic leaf extracts of A. integrifolia showed parasite suppression of 52.77% when tested at 500 mg/kg/day and aqueous leaf extracts showed 57.18% at 1000 mg/kg. Minimum antiplasmodial activity was observed in the 500 mg/kg/day organic root extract (49.79%).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Organic and aqueous extracts from the aerial parts (leaves and stems) of A. integrifolia exhibited inhibition of the erythrocyte stage of parasite growth within malaria-infected Swiss albino mice.
Background
This paper addresses the urgent need for alternative therapies to combat malaria, particularly in light of emerging drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium. Previous research has established that certain plants, including Ajuga integrifolia, have been used in traditional medicine to treat malaria. Understanding the antimalarial properties of these plants could contribute to the development of new therapeutic options.
Methods
The study employed a modified OECD method for oral acute toxicity testing and Peter's 4-day suppressive test to evaluate antimalarial activities. Swiss albino mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei and treated with organic and aqueous extracts of A. integrifolia at doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of parasite suppression.
Results
The primary endpoint showed that organic stem extracts at 500 mg/kg/day suppressed parasite growth by 66.73%, p-value not reported. Aqueous stem extracts at 1000 mg/kg/day achieved a suppression of 64.14%. Other extracts demonstrated varying levels of suppression, with organic leaf extracts at 500 mg/kg/day showing 52.77% and aqueous leaf extracts at 1000 mg/kg showing 57.18%. Minimum suppression was noted in the organic root extract at 49.79%.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that A. integrifolia has potential antimalarial properties, particularly its stem extracts. However, while the results are statistically significant, the clinical relevance remains uncertain due to the rodent model and lack of human data. The study's limitations, including potential confounding factors such as small sample size and short duration, warrant caution in extrapolating these findings to human populations.
Key findings
- Organic stem extracts at 500 mg/kg/day suppressed parasite growth by 66.73%.
- Aqueous stem extracts at 1000 mg/kg/day achieved a parasite suppression of 64.14%.
- Organic leaf extracts at 500 mg/kg/day showed parasite suppression of 52.77%.
- Aqueous leaf extracts at 1000 mg/kg showed parasite suppression of 57.18%.
- Minimum antiplasmodial activity was observed in the 500 mg/kg/day organic root extract (49.79%).
- Organic and aqueous extracts were safe at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively.
Limitations
- Rodent model may not fully translate to human outcomes.
- Sample size and duration of the study not reported.
- No long-term follow-up to assess durability of effects.
- Lack of control group details.