Evaluation of the alcoholic extract effect of Artemisia fragranceherbal with chloroquineon Plasmodium berghei in laboratory albino mice

Background: Malaria is one of the most important tropical diseases that is prevalent in some of regions of Iran and the world. The malaria agent is resistant to different chemical drugs which have several side effects. So, the use of various medicinal plants, especially different species of Artemisia herb which have artemisinin as its active ingredient, is significantly important. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Artemisia fragrance herb as compared with chloroquine in laboratory albino mice exposed to Plasmodium berghei (P.berghei). Methods: In this experimental study, twenty-five mice were divided into five groups (n=25 mice/group) placed in separate cages: four groups were infected with P.berghei. Two groups were treated with different concentrations (25 and 75 mg/kg) of alcoholic extract of Artemisia fragrance and one group was treated with chloroquine current drug. The fourth group was a placebo group without receiving any drugs. The data were analysed using SPSS software and paired and student T-test. Results: In groups treated with 25 and 75 mg of the extract, parasitemia decreased significantly on days 5 and 8 compared to placebo groups (p<0.001). Mean while, the parasitemia rate decreased in the 75 mg group than in the group receiving 25 mg on day 5 (p<0.005). The life span of the mice in the group treated with chloroquine and 75 mg of the extract had a statistically significant difference with other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that alcoholic extract of Artemisia fragrance in 75 mg/kg mice weight concentration has a significant effect on P.berghei parasite.