Luffa cylindrica (Linn. M. J. Roem) Reduces Oxidative Stress In Vivo in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Albino Mice

Abstract Background Malaria is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, and oxidative stress has been implicated malaria disease. Luffa cylindrica an ethnomedicinal plant used to treat various diseases, including malaria. The stress-reducing potential of L. malaria-disease state Plasmodium berghei NK-65 parasite-infected mice was carried out vivo. Materials Methods Mice were infected with P. NK-65, the effect administration methanolic leaves extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg b.w) on percentage parasitemia blood smear, antioxidant enzymes (catalase CAT, superoxide dismutase SOD, glutathione-s-transferase GST), non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione GSH) malondialdehyde concentration tissues (plasma, liver, kidneys, spleen) investigated compared chloroquine artesunate as reference antimalarial drugs. Phytochemical constituents determined by standard methods. Results Saponins, tannins, terpenes, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides phytochemical identified extract. at three doses b.w.) caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) parasite growth over 90% level parasite. also ameliorated significantly increasing activities GST studied mice. malondialdehyde, marker mice, reduced results comparable chloroquine- artesunate-treated groups. Conclusion study concludes that effective therapy for treating management its stress-related complications due properties.