Schizont Maturation and β-Hematin Inhibition Properties of the n-Butanol Fraction of Methanol Root Extract of Cissus cornifolia (Baker)
Yusuf Adamu Maitama*, Abdullahi Ibrahim Doma and Musa Aliyu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
| Key words:
Antiplasmodial, Cissus cornifolia, schizonts, β-hematin. methanol extract, Plasmodium falciparume
*Corresponding author: adammaitama16@yahoo.com; Page No: 279-288 |
AbstractCissus cornifolia Baker, (Vitacea) is traditionally used in the treatment of many ailments including malaria. This study aimed to assess the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the n-butanol fraction (NBF) of methanol root extract of Cissus cornifolia using the schizont maturation inhibition model. The root was extracted using cold maceration with diluted methanol and further fractionated in n-butanol and ethyl acetate. Phytochemical analysis and quantification were carried out to determine the secondary metabolites. The median lethal dose of the methanol root extract was determined by the OECD method and that of the n-butanol fraction (BF) by Lorke’s method. Schizont inhibition was carried out using the candle jar anaerobic continuous culture method. Colorimetric assay method for β-hematin inhibition was performed using a 96-well plate. Inhibition of both schizont and β-hematin was determined Phytochemical screening identified saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, and cardiac glycosides. The oral LD50 of methanol root extract (ME) was above 5000 mg/kg while that of the BF was 2154 mg/kg. The BF significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the mean number of schizonts compared to the negative control. The NBF exhibited significant antimalarial activity with IC50 (3.70 μg/mL) similar to that of chloroquine with IC50 (3.60 μg/mL). These results suggest that the plant may be useful against malarial parasite and justify the claim of its effectiveness in folkloric medicine |