Abstract:
Background: Combretum molle (Combretaceae) seed has been traditionally used for treatment
of malaria and other aliments in Gambella region, Ethiopia. Thus, aim of this study was to
evaluate in vivo cytotoxic and anti-plasmodial activities of C. molle plant using mice.
Methods: The acute toxicity study was conducted using single dose administration of crude seed
extract of the plant at different doses. Also effect of the extract on hematological and
biochemical parameters, and tissues of different organs were assessed. Furthermore,antiplasmodial activity of the seed crude extract, its chemo-suppressive potential, and protection
against some clinical symptoms was assessed.
Results: Acute toxicity study didn‟t show any observable effects in mice under all doses. The
crude seed extract of C. molle showed 63.5% of parasite suppression in Swiss albino mice
infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) parasite at dose 125mg/kg. Relatively survival
time of mice treated with the same dose showed significant increment compared to the negative
control. But, significantly lower than mice treated with standard drug, chloroquine (CQ). On the
day-4 post-infection (p.i) the plant extract showed significant (P<0.05) protection against body
weight reduction, high rectal temperature and haemolysis of RBC at relatively lower doses.
However, it was not significantly different from mice group treated with CQ. Findings from
haematological study showed that seed extract of C. molle did not cause significant effects on
most red blood cells indices, while except eosinophil all white blood cells (WBCs) indices
showed significant reduction (P<0.05) under use of almost all doses. Also, level of liver enzymes
such as glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (sGOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT),
showed significant increment (P<0.05) in mice treated with different doses of the plant extract,
while level of albumin was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Similarly, significant increament
(P<0.05) in levels of kidney function indicators: urea and creatinine was observed.
Conclusion: The study revealed thatat lower dose (125mg/kg) crude extract of C. molleseed has
lower toxicity on haematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. Also at this dose,
high chemo-suppressive activity against murine malaria parasite (PbA) was documented. Thus
further isolation andin vivo evaluation of active components of the plant is recommended.
