Evaluation of the Anti-Malarial Activity of the Crude Root Extract and Solvent Fraction of Sesamum indicum (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Background

A major cumbersome factor in malaria control measure is the new coming antimalarial drug resistance strains. The increase of resistance to the available marketed antimalarial agents dictates the scientific community to search new alternative antimalarial agent from traditional plants. Therefore, our study assesses the antimalarial activity of the crude root extract and solvent fraction of Sesamum indicum in mice.

Methods

The roots of Sesamum indicum were extracted by 80% methanol and fractionated using three solvents with different polarities. The in vivo antimalarial activity was assessed at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg of the root crude extract and solvent fraction using the 4-day suppressive test. Similarly, the n- butanol fraction extract, which showed better suppression potential in 4-day suppressive test from other fractions was also evaluated in the curative model to assess its curative potential. The % parasitemia suppression, mean survival time, body weight change, rectal temperature change, and packed cell volume change were also evaluated in both models.

Results

Our finding revealed that the crude extract and solvent fraction treated groups had a statistical significant parasitemia suppression and mean survival time improvement as compared to the negative control (p<0.001) in both models in a dose-dependent fashion. The higher dose n-butanol fraction treated group (600mg/kg) showed the highest suppression effect and mean survival time prolongation in both tests from the other two fractions. However, the lowest suppressive effect was observed in 200 mg/kg aqueous fraction extract-treated groups in the 4-day suppressive test.

Conclusion

The crude root extract and solvent fractions of Sesamum indicum possessed a dose dependent antimalarial activity and a significant change in other parameters in both models that strengthen the traditional claim.

Keywords:

• antimalarial
• parasitemia
• Plasmodium
• Sesamum indicum

Abbreviations

MST, Mean survival time; PCV, Packed cell volume; SEM, Standard error of the mean; OECD, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Data Sharing Statement

All data are available on the hand of the corresponding author.

Ethical Approval

The experimental protocol for the use of animals was in accordance with internationally accepted OECD guidelines, no 425 for the welfare of laboratory animals. Ethics approval was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of the School of Pharmacy of Addis Ababa University.

Acknowledgments

We thank Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Pharmacy for their use of laboratory space and equipment.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declared no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The research was mainly self-sponsored.