In Vitro and In Vivo Antiplasmodial Activity and Safety Profile of Hydroethanolic Leaf Ex-tract of Calotropis Procera (Ait) R. Br. (Apocynaceae)

Abstract

Malaria remains a global health threat due to its overwhelming statistics on morbidity and mortality, especially in pregnant women and children under five years. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a hydroethanolic leaf extract of Calotropis procera (CPE) in managing malaria utilizing in vivo and in vitro models. Methods: The curative antiplasmodial effect of the extract of Calotropis procera was evaluated by administering CPE: 200, 400, 600 mg/kg, and artemether/lumefantrine (AL: 1.14/6.9 mg/kg) to Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice 72 h post the malaria induction with 1×10⁷ parasitized RBCs. The prophylactic effect of CPE was evaluated by administering the same dose to mice for 3 days before induction of malaria. In both assays, parasitemia was monitored daily using thin and thick films of blood drawn from the tail of the mice. In vitro antiplasmodial effect of CPE was determined using CPE (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 3.125 µg/mL) and AL (50 to 1.56 µg/mL) against 3D7 Plasmodium falciparum for 72 h. A toxicity study was done by orally administering CPE (100, 300, 1000, 3000, 5000 mg/kg) or saline (1 ml/kg) to rats for 14 days. Results: CPE significantly inhibited P. berghei growth in curative and prophylactic assays similar to AL. CPE exhibited an in vitro antiplasmodial effect with an IC₅₀ of 84.21 ± 2.2 μg/ml. Biochemical, histological, haematological, and physical assessment for toxicity indicated no significant changes compared to the naïve control and signs of toxicity were observed. Conclusion: It can be concluded that CPE possesses antiplasmodial properties and has an LD₅₀ above 5000 mg/kg