Antimalarial and Reno-protective Potentials of Combined Stem Bark Extracts of Khaya grandifoliola and Enantia chlorantha in Plasmodium Infected Mice

Background: Malaria is a worldwide threat, which affects millions of people. Although several antimalarial has been reported, they are either not effective or toxic. This study evaluated the antimalarial efficacy and safety of stem bark aqueous extracts of Khaya grandifoliola (KG) and Enantia chlorantha (EC) in Plasmodium berghie (NK65S) infected Swiss mice. Methods: Forty-two animals were grouped into six groups. Group A (control) comprised uninfected animals given sterile placebo. Group B was infected but untreated. Groups C, D, E, and F were infected and treated with 50 mg/kg artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), 400 mg/kg body weight of KG, EC, and the combined extracts (200 mg/ml body weight each) respectively. Results: Alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, phenolics, flavonoids, tannin and saponins were all present in the two extracts. The percentage parasitemia in the treated groups C, D, E, and F was significantly (P˂0.05) reduced from 44%, 24%, 35%, and 31% to 17%, 8%, 9% and 8% respectively. The level of creatinine C (1.33±0.08 g/d), D (2.07±0.15 g/d), E (2.17±0.24 g/d) and F (1.20±0.0.12 g/d) increased significantly (P˂0.05) compared to group A (0.73±0.08 g/d). There was no significant difference in the urea level, potassium and sodium concentrations among all the groups. Conclusion: The efficacy and renal safety of oral administration of aqueous stem bark extract of KG and EC were confirmed. Therefore, the extracts could be used as alternatives to standard drugs in the management of malaria.