This work explores the antiplasmodial potential of ethanol extract of Blighia sapida (Lin. Sapindaceae) in chloroquine (CQ)-resistant Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain)-infected mice. Chloroquine-resistant (ANKA) strain of P berghei was inoculated intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice. Mice were treated orally for 4 consecutive days, before and after inoculation (prophylactic, suppressive, and curative models) with graded doses of the plant extracts with Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem) as control. Prophylactically, the extract showed a remarkable activity in the chemosuppression of P berghei parasites (P < .01) ranging from 57% to 36.5% at doses of 200 to 800 mg/kg, respectively, whereas Coartem (10 mg/kg) produced 62.1% chemosuppression. No significant chemosuppression was observed in the curative and suppressive models. The plant extract appeared to be safe at the highest dose tested (5000 mg/kg) for acute toxicity, with no adverse effect on the different organs. The plant extract possesses prophylactic antimalarial activity, which supports its use in the prevention of malaria.
Keywords: Blighia sapida; Plasmodium berghei; chemosuppression; curative; efficacy and safety; prophylaxis.