ANTIMALARIAL POTENTIAL OF ETHYL ACETATE LEAF EXTRACT AND COLUMN FRACTIONS OF Jatropha tanjorensis (Euphorbiaceae) IN MICE INFECTED WITH Plasmodium berghei
Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with the rise of drug-resistant strains emphasizing the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents. This study examines the antimalarial potential of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extracts, particularly the crude ethyl acetate extract and its column fractions, against Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. The primary aim was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of these extracts, focusing on parasitemia reduction, hematological indices, weight gain, and survival times of the infected mice. The leaves of Jatropha tanjorensis were collected and prepared according to standard procedures, with extraction carried out using the maceration technique. The resulting ethyl acetate extract was then fractionated through column chromatography. The curative effects of the crude extract and fractions were assessed using Rane's test by monitoring parasitemia and evaluating the effects on hematological indices. The survival times and weight changes of the mice were also recorded to assessed the overall therapeutic potential of the extracts. The results showed that column fraction (3) demonstrated the highest inhibitory potential, exhibiting a dose- and time-dependent reduction in parasitemia level, from 20.5% on Day 5 to 5.8% on Day 8 of treatment. Both the crude ethyl acetate extract and column fraction (3) indicated weight gain and anti-anaemic effects in a dose-dependent manner, enhancing the overall health of the infected mice. Moreover, these treatments led to increased survival rates compared to the control group. This study supports the promising antimalarial activity of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extracts, suggesting their potential for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Further research is needed to isolate the active compounds and investigate their mechanisms of action to more effectively combat malaria, especially in the context of drug-resistant strains.
Keywords: Malaria, Plasmodium berghei, Parasitaemia, and Rane’s Test
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