PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VIVO ANALYSIS OF I ANTIMALARIAL POTENTIAL OF MANGO PEEL (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) METHANOL EXTRACT USING ALBINO MICE

vii ABSTRACT Malaria is a global issue especially with the emergence of multidrug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. This calls for urgent discovery and production of drugs with novel mode of action. Different drugs from various plant sources have been used for the treatment of malaria in traditional medical settings. This study explored the antimalarial potential of mango peel methanol extract. The acute toxicity of mango peel methanol extract was determined using Lorkes’ method. Phytochemical screening of the extract was done using standard methods. Experimental animals received graded doses of the extract once daily for 7 days. In vivo antiplasmodial activity of mango peel methanol extract was assessed by curative test, using P. berghei infected mice. The extract demonstrated a dose-dependent curative activity at the tested doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg). Weight of infected mice increased after 7 days of treatment with extract and artesunate. Reduction in mean % parasitaemia was achieved (on day 4 post-treatment). Dose of 500 mg/kg had the most reduction. Further reduction was also observed on day 7 post treatment. Percentage (%) suppression of parasitaemia was also recorded. Dose of 500 mg/kg had the highest suppression at 88% which is greater than that of the standard drug used (artesunate). The extract is considered safe and non-toxic since the acute toxicity testing was up to 5000 mg/kg and no death was recorded. This study demonstrated that mango peel methanol extract has promising antimalarial activity. Further studies need to be done to identify and characterize the active principles/substances in the extract.