EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF IPOMOEA BATATAS (SWEET POTATOES) ON ALBUMIN LEVELS OF PLASMODIUM BERGHEI-INFECTED MICE

This study investigates the effects of ethanol extract of Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) leaves on albumin levels in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Malaria, a persistent global health challenge, continues to develop resistance to conventional drugs. To explore alternative treatments, sweet potatoes, known for their bioactive compounds, were evaluated for their potential therapeutic benefits. The primary aim of this research was to determine the impact of sweet potato ethanol extract on albumin levels in malaria-infected mice, offering insights into its role as a possible complementary treatment. Ethanol extracts were prepared from Ipomoea batatas leaves and administered to Plasmodium berghei-infected mice at doses of 20, 25, and 30 mg/kg. Albumin levels were measured using the Bromocresol Green (BCG) method, and parasitemia profiles were assessed to evaluate the extract's anti-plasmodial efficacy. The increasing resistance of malaria parasites to available treatments calls for new therapeutic alternatives. Research on the influence of sweet potato extracts on albumin levels in malaria models is limited, and this study aims to bridge that gap. The results demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in albumin levels, with 30 mg/kg producing the highest levels (4.96 ± 0.85 g/L), while 25 mg/kg exhibited the most significant parasitemia suppression (66%). The study also revealed that mice treated with 20 mg/kg had lower, but still elevated albumin levels (3.39 ± 0.69 g/L). The extract's efficacy was comparable to standard anti-malarial drugs like artesunate, and it showed significant potential to modulate health markers such as albuminest that Ipomoea batatas ethanol extract not only improves albumin levels but also exhibits anti-malarial activity, underscoring its potential for further exploration as a natural therapeutic agent.