Antiplasmodial Activity of Lantana camara in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei

Aims: To investigate the antiplasmodial activity of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei­.

Study Design: The plant extract was evaluated for its antiplasmodial activity in P. berghei infected mice model.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India, during June 2010 to August 2013.

Methodology: The schizonticidal potential of L. camara methanolic extract (LCME, 250 and 500 mg/kg, orally) was evaluated during the early stage (suppressive model), established infections (curative model) as well as the prophylactic model in Swiss albino mice. Chloroquine (CQ, 5 mg/kg) and pyrimethamine (PM, 1.2 mg/kg) were used as a reference standard drugs. The parasitemia levels were measured from thin smears made from tail blood of each mouse employed in the study. The curative activity of LCME was assessed from the mean survival time (MST). Rectal temperature measurement was used as a supportive parameter. Oxidant generation potential of the LCME was also evaluated to elucidate the probable mechanism of action.

Results: LCME exhibited significant antiplasmodial activity in both suppressive and prophylactic models. The effect was well-comparable to CQ and PM, respectively. The MST was found much longer in LCME-treated animals than the control ones. The rectal temperature was remained near to normal in these groups. The glutathione level was significantly lowered in LCME-treated groups.

Conclusion: In our study, the LCME exhibited a significant antiplasmodial activity in all three models (viz. suppressive, prophylactic and curative).