PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE ANTIMALARIAL PROPERTIES OF THE PEELS OF CITRUS MAXIMA LINN

Abstract

Even though Citrus plants have antimalarial properties, there is no report of such about peels of C. maxima. This study explored fractions of peels of C. maxima for the presence of antimalarial activity using murine models. The crude extract was tested at 3 dose levels (125, 250, 500 mg/kg/b.w./day) and fractions at 2 dose levels (250 and 500 mg/kg/b.w./day). All treatments lasted 7 consecutive days. In the experimental design and layout, blood samples were collected from tails of animals on day 4 and day 7. Over 89% of the parasite was cleared by 125 mg/kg dose on day 7. The highest clearance at day 4 and day 7 were at 500 mg/kg aqueous fraction (84.85%) and 500 mg/kg ethyl acetate fraction (97.96%), respectively. Only the aqueous fractions (250 and 500 mg/kg) had clearances > 80% on day 4. Other fractions having clearances > 50% were 500 mg/kg n-butanol (61.90%) and 500 mg/kg n-hexane (59.57%). Results of day 7 show the presence of antimalarial principles in all the fractions. This study demonstrated that the fruit peels of C. maxima possess antimalarial activity. More studies are needed to identify the mechanisms of action and active compounds involved.

Keywords

• Citrus maxima
• antimalarial activity
• parasite clearance
• Plasmodium berghei