Effect of Nelumbo nucifera Stamen Extract on Phagocytosis and Malaria Parasite Growth Against Plasmodium Berghei Infected Mice

Antimalarial drug resistant malaria parasites are causing not only the spread of malaria to new areas but also its re-emergence in areas where it had previously been eradicated. In addition, malaria-associated impairment of phagocytosis has been reported during malaria parasite infection. The present study has been carried out to investigate the effect of Nelumbo nucifera stamen extract on phagocytosis and malaria parasite growth against Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Groups of ICR mice were treated orally by gavage with N. nucifera stamen extract (500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg) after infection with P. berghei ANKA. Parasitemia, percent phagocytosis and phagocytic index were determined. At these doses, N. nucifera stamen extract inhibited parasitemia in dose-dependent manner, with similar level of antimalarial activity to chloroquine (5 mg/kg). In addition, increasing of phagocytosis and phagocytic index has also been observed in dose-dependent in infected mice treated with the extracts. In particularly, the highest activities of N. nucifera stamen extract were found at dose 2,000 mg/kg. These results indicated that aqueous crude extract of N. nucifera stamens have antimalarial and improve phagocytic activity against P. berghei ANKA infected mice.