EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF IPOMOEA BATATAS (SWEET POTATOES) LEAVES ON HCT AND MCV OF PLASMODIUM BERGHEI INFECTED MICE

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, affecting millions worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease has a multifaceted impact, causing high fever and chills, anemia and organ damage, and hematological alterations, including decreased hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. Furthermore, the emergence of resistance to anti-malarial drugs complicates treatment, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies to combat malaria's devastating consequences. Ipomoea batatas, commonly known as sweet potato, is a medicinal plant with a rich history of traditional use in various cultures. The roots, leaves, and tubers of the plant have been used to treat a range of health conditions, including infections, inflammation, diabetes, cancer, digestive issues, respiratory problems, and skin conditions. The plant's bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, and saponins, are responsible for its medicinal properties. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of ethanol extract of Ipomoea batatas leaves on hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium bergei (NK-65) obtained from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos State, Nigeria, and kept at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Calabar-Nigeria was used for the study. The parasite was subsequently maintained in our laboratory by serial blood passage from mouse to mouse every four days. One milliliter of parasitized erythrocyte was obtained from a donor-infected mouse by cardiac puncture and made up to 5ml with normal saline. Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.2ml blood suspension containing 106 – 107 parasitized erythrocytes on day zero. Infected mice with parasitemia of 10 – 12% were allocated to five groups. The mice were grouped into six per group. Group I, II and III were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei and administered 20, 25, and 30mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of Ipomoea batatas respectively. Group IV and V served as both standard and positive control. While groups VI served as the normal control. After treatment period, all mice were sedated with ketamine hydrochloride and dissected. Blood obtained by cardiac puncture using EDTA treated bottles, sterile syringes and needles. HCT was measured using Sysmex KX-21 Hematology Analyzer (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) at the Hematology Unit of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Laboratory, Calabar. The extract caused 4%, 28% and 66% chemo-suppression in parasitemia in 20, 25 and 30mg/kg body weight respectively while Artesunate exerted 62% chemo-suppression at 5mg/kg body weight. Results of the analysis showed that the low doses demonstrated a reduction in hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume when compared to the positive control. Conversely, the medium and high doses showed varied effects, with the medium doses exhibiting an increase and the high doses displaying a decrease in hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. These findings suggest a dose-dependent influence of the plant extract on hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume during malaria infection.