Potent in vivo anti-malaria activity of Goniothalamin against rodent malaria parasite infection in mice

Goniothalamin was evaluated for its anti-malaria activity in-vivo, using the 4-Day Suppressive Test (Peters & Robinson, 1975). The test were carried out against two strains of rodent malaria parasites, the sensitive strain P. berghei ANKA (MRA 311) strain and the resistant strain P. yoelii (MRA 312). An Initial screening was carried out using a single dose of 10 mg/kg body weight administered subcutaneously and orally to experimental mice, given daily for 4 days. Based on the initial findings, a further in vivo blood schizonticidal activity of the compound in mice using the 4 Day Suppressive Test were carried out on several doses. These doses selected based from the initial findings, were 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg/kg body weight administered orally and subcutaneously as a single dose given daily for 4 days. On day 4, blood smears were prepared from all the mice and stained with Giemsa staining. The parasite density was counted microscopically by counting the percentage of parasitised erythrocytes per 1000 erythrocytes. The percentage parasitemia was determined in relation to control. The standard substance control used was chloroquine The findings on the P. berghei ANKA strain indicated that the dose 90 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg of Goniothalamin given orally demonstrated a suppressive of 98% and 99.7% respectively. Goniothalamin administered subcutaneously at dose of 120 mg/kg gives a 90.5% suppression of infection. The data on the P. yoelii strain will be discussed. Goniothalamine has potential for anti-malaria drug.