Assessing the Oxidative Stress Reducing Potential of Spilanthes filicaulis (Schumach & Thonn) Ethyl-Acetate Sub-fractions on Plasmodium berghei Infected Female Mice

Infections by Plasmodium parasite actuate oxidative stress. As malaria parasite actions overwhelm host antioxidant defense by producing excessive reactive species during haemoglobin degradation. This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative status by considering the antioxidant level of ethyl-acetate sub-fractions of Spilanthes filicaulis (ESSF) extract on Plasmodium berghei NK-65 parasitized mice.

Sixty female mice weighing 20.0 ± 3.0 g were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL of parasitized erythrocytes randomly selected into five groups of 12 mice, Groups I and II were orally administered with normal saline (10 mL/kg) and chloroquine (10 mg/kg) while, Groups III, IV and V were administered 250,500 and 750 mg/kg per day respectively of ESSF. Mice in each group were sacrificed on days 4 and 8 post treatment, thereafter blood and liver samples were collected and prepared using standard methods to obtain erythrocytes and liver homogenates. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a measure of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) level was assessed in the erythrocyte and liver.

Administration of ESSF produced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the MDA concentration of the parasitized treated group when compared to parasitized untreated group on day 4. Concomitantly, a significant (p < 0.05) increase in SOD and CAT activity in the treated groups with a corresponding decrease in the untreated group on day 4. However, effects of this action were more pronounced on day 8 in both tissues.

These findings suggest that ESSF might contribute to the protection of malaria infected mice against oxidative disruptions by improving antioxidant status.