ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY AND CYTOTOXICITY PROFILE OF THE HEXANE, DICHLOROMETHANE AND METHANOL SEED EXTRACTS OF AFRAMOMUM DANIELLI K. SCHUM (ZINGIBERACEAE)

Dr. Tejumade Ujomu*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The search for alternatives to the artemisinins (the bedrock of modern antimalarial chemotherapy) is a resultant response to the emergence of the development parasite resistance to the artemisinins. Methods: This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity and the cytotoxicity profile of the n- hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Aframomum danielli seeds. In vitro susceptibility of chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum D10 strain to the extracts was evaluated using parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay, while cytotoxicity was determined using 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5- diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay with Vero cells and emetine as standard drug. Chloroquine-resistant P.berghei (ANKA) infected Swiss mice allotted into 14 groups of 5 per group: corn oil (5mL/kg), 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of each extract and chloroquine (10 mg/kg) were used to evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity in a 4-day suppressive test. Results: The n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the seeds of Garcinia kola were active in vitro against chloroquine sensitive P. falciparum D10 strain with IC50 values ≤ 16 μg/mL. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts were non- cytotoxic against Vero cells with IC50 values ≥ 122 μg/mL. The hexane extract of Aframomum danielli seeds reduced parasitemia by 100% at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg with prolonged survival in mice infected with P.berghei ANKA. Conclusion: The observed antimalarial activity justifies the use of Aframomum danielli seeds in the treatment of febrile illnesses.

Keywords: Antimalarial, Aframomum danielli seeds, P. falciparum D10, Cytotoxicity, Artemisinins, chemosuppression.