Activity of Adansonia digitata on biochemical and hematological changes in established Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

The intra-erythrocytic lifestyle of malaria parasite contributes an additional oxidative burden, resulting from digestion of the host hemoglobin as the parasite grows within the infected cell. This study evaluated the efficacy of Adansonia digitata stem bark extract on hematological and renal changes in established Plasmodium berghei infection in mice. Albino wistar mice were used in the study. The mice were transfected intraperitonially with an inoculum size of l × 107 of chloroquine susceptible strain of Plasmodium berghei-infected erythrocytes. Percentage chemosupression and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined. The antiplasmodium effects of the extracts were investigated by measuring the hemoglobin (Hb) content, white blood cell (WBC) count, and cell differentials. Severity of malaria was determined by measuring the serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid concentrations. An essential biomarker of malaria-associated disturbance in mineral homeostasis was determined by measuring the electrolyte concentrations. Administration of the extracts had effect on the growth of Plasmodium berghei parasite in mice. The extracts showed a significant decrease in percentage parasitemia at the two doses and a significant dose-dependent increase in PCV, percentage chemosupression when administered after established infection. There was a significant decrease in hemoglobin content, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in the control group following Plasmodium berghei infection. The extract significantly reduced the WBC, platelet, monocyte count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean cell volume (MCV). Administration of the extract after established infection significantly reduced the creatinine, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Cl− concentrations. The concentrations of urea, uric acid, and Mg2+ were significantly higher in control mice. Our study suggests that Adansonia digitata has antimalarial activity and modulates biochemical and hematological changes in established Plasmodium berghei infection. © 2019, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.