ABSTRACT

Objective: the study was designed to determine the anti-plasmodial and toxicological effects of methanol extract of Chrysophyllum albidium bark using albino male mice as models. Method: the antiplasmodial effect and LD₅₀ of methanol extract of Chrysophyllum albidium bark was determined in swiss albino mice using standard methods. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of selected biochemical parameters. Result: the LD₅₀ of the methanolic bark extract was estimated to be 750mg/kg body weight C. albidum methanolic bark extract (125-375mg/kg/day) showed significantly (P<0.05) schizontocidal activities both in a 4day (early) infection and in an established (7days) infection comparable to that of chloriquine. The effect of oral administration of the bark extract of Chrysophyllum albidum did not show any significant effect (P > 0.05) on the plasma concentration of total bilurubin, albumin, total protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as the haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and packed cell volume (PCV). The concentration of the platelet and white blood cell (WBC) significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 125mg/kg body weight. The doses significantly reduced (P<0.05) plasma levels of AST, ALT and creatinine. Conclusion: C. albidum contains anti-plasmodial substances which help to reduce parasitaemia and the results of the biochemical and haematological parameters show that the extract is non-toxic, this also validates the use of this plant as an antimalarial agent. Recommendation: further studies needs to be done to identify and characterize the active principles/substances in the extract.