Safety assessment and antimalarial property of methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides root-bark on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae) is an indigenous Nigerian medicinal plant used traditionally for treating fever, malarial infection, sexual impotence, gonorrhea, malaria, dysmenorrhea, and abdominal pain. This study investigated the safety profile and antimalarial activity of methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides root-bark on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity (LD₅₀) of MEFZRB were determined using standard methods. Thirty-six Swiss mice (28–34 g) were distributed into 6 groups (n = 6). Groups 1 and 2 served as normal and negative control respectively. Group 3 mice were parasitized and treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of Coartem® (positive control). Groups 4–6 were P. berghei infected and orally treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight of MEFZRB respectively for 4 days. P. berghei infection was initiated by an intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml parasitized red blood cells. The effect of MEFZRB on percentage parasitemia, hematological indices, antioxidant status, liver and kidney functions, and lipid profile parameters was assessed. The LD₅₀ of MEFZRB was 4073.1 mg/kg b.w. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in percentage parasitemia of treated groups were observed relative to the negative control. Treatment with MEFZRB led to significant (P < 0.05) increases in packed cell volume, hemoglobin, and red blood cell concentrations, whereas white blood cell count significantly (P < 0.05) decreased relative to the negative control. Similarly MEFZRB significantly (P < 0.05) restored altered antioxidant status, liver enzyme activities, and lipid profile indices of the treated groups following P. berghei-infection in mice, thus, indicating the antimalarial property of MEFZRB.