Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (Oct 2022)

Effects of co-treatment of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice with aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves and primaquine on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, hematological, and antioxidant parameters

  • Shedrach Kanu C,
  • Chinyere Aloke,
  • Nwabueze Elom I,
  • Chinedum Eleazu O

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 4
p. 100656

Abstract

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Background: It has been observed that most malaria patients especially G6PD-deficient patients usually experience oxidative stress and severe anemia when treated with primaquine. This calls for the need to search for a treatment option that will ameliorate these side effects. Objective: The effect of co-treatment of malaria with aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves (AEOGL) and primaquine on G6PD activity, antioxidant indices and hematological parameters in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice was investigated. Materials and methods: Thirty mice divided into six groups of five mice each were recruited for this study. Whilst Group 1 (G1) served as the negative control (group not infected with plasmodium parasite), Groups 2 to 6 (G2-G6) were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.2 ml of 1 × 105/ml Plasmodium berghei (NK 65 strain) infected erythrocytes. G2 (parasite control) received no treatment. Groups 3,4,5 and 6 were administered 0.25 mg/kg bw of primaquine only; 100 mg/kg b. w of AEOGL +0.25 mg/kg bw of primaquine; 200 mg/kg b. w of AEOGL +0.25 mg/kg bw of primaquine; 200 mg/kg b. w of AEOGL respectively, for 14 days. Results: Treatment with only primaquine gave the highest mean malaria parasite clearance (82.10 ± 0.45 percent), followed by 100 mg/kg b. w of AEOGL + Primaquine (75.59 ± 0.47 percent), 200 mg/kg b. w of AEOGL + Primaquine (67.35 ± 0.67 percent), and AEOGL alone (55 ± 0.56 percent). In comparison with the untreated malaria groups, co-treatment with AEOGL + Primaquine produced a significant (p 0.05) difference in these parameters. Conclusion: Co-treatment of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice with AEOGL and primaquine improved the G6PD activity, hematological parameters and antioxidant status relative to treatment with only primaquine.

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