Anti-hemolysis of Aqueous Crude Extract of Siamese Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) during Plasmodium berghei Infection in Mice

Malaria-associated hemolysis is associated with mortality in malaria patients. It has been speculated that oxidative stress and inflammation induced by parasite infection and propagation are involved in its pathophysiology. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the anti-hemolysis of Siamese neem tree (Azadirachta indica) extracts against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice. Leaf aqueous crude extract of Siamese neem tree was prepared using hot water method and used for oral treatment in mice. ICR mice were infected with 1×107 infected red blood cells of P. berghei ANKA by intraperitoneal injection and given the extracts (500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg) for 4-consecutive days. To assess hemolysis, hematocrit levels were then evaluated. Hematocrit level was markedly decreased during malaria parasite propagation in mice. However, anti-hemolytic effect was observed in infected mice treated with the extracts at dose-dependent manners, especially at doses of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg. Although hemolysis was observed in pyrimethamine, antimalarial drug, treated group, but it could be protected by combination treatment of pyrimethamine with this extract. In conclusion, aqueous crude extracts of Siamese neem tree exerted anti-hemolysis induced by malaria infection and could be used as combination treatment. This plant may work as potential source in the development of variety of herbal formulations for malarial treatment.