Aqueous Root Extract of the Antimalarial Herbal Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta (lindl.) Schltr Delays the Development of Physical Landmarks and Sensorimotor Systems in Mice

We demonstrated previously that the aqueous root extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (cryptolepis), with cryptolepine as the major constituent adversely affect reproduction and foetal development in mice. However, very little is known on the effect of prenatal exposure of cryptolepis on the post-natal life of surviving animals. Using murine models, we report here, the effects of prenatal exposure to cryptolepis on the growth and development of physical landmarks and sensorimotor systems. Prenatal cryptolepis (62.5, 100, 500 mg/kg; p.o) treatment of pregnant mice from gestation day 6 19 significantly caused a delay in eye opening and development of reflexes such as righting, mid-air righting, auditory startle and pinna reflex. Prenatal cryptolepis treatment also inhibited intrauterine growth but not post-natal growth. This study shows that prenatal cryptolepis treatment provokes functional toxicity by delaying the development of physical landmarks and sensorimotor systems in mice. INTRODUCTION: According to the WHO, malaria is still endemic in Africa 1 despite considerable efforts towards its eradication. Malaria inflicts both social and economic burden on affected people and majority of malaria patients in developing countries depend heavily on herbal remedies. The use of the aqueous extract of the root bark of Cryptolepis sangunolenta is popular in Ghana and other West and Central African communities 2 where it is used particularly as antimalarial, antidysentry and a febrifuge 2, 3 . QUICK RESPONSE CODE IJPSR: ICV (2011)5.07 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com The plant is rich in indole alkaloids which are lead compounds in the search for new antimalarial drugs. Principal amongst its alkaloids is cryptolepine