title: Isolation, fractionation and evaluation of the antiplasmodial properties of Phyllanthus niruri resident in its chloroform fraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the antiplasmodial activity of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri) methanol extract (ME) and its fractions in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  P. niruri methanol extract and its chloroform, ethanol and aqueous portions were tested against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei in early, established and repository models of infection using Knight and Peter's 4-day suppressive model, Ryley and Peters curative model and Peters prophylactic model respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chemosuppression of parasitaemia (37.65%-50.53 %) was elicited by 100-400 mg/kg (b.w.) of ME. At doses of 100 mg/kg b.w., the chloroform fraction (F1) significantly (P<0.01) suppressed parasitaemia by 85.29%, while ethanol and aqueous fractions (F2 and F3, respectively) elicited 67.06% and 51.18% chemosuppression. The most active fraction, F1 was selected for further antiplasmodial screening. In established infection, ME reduced parasitaemia (15.81%-62.96%) while F1 significantly (P<0.01) reduced parasitaemia (44.36%-90.48%), with effects comparable to that of chloroquine (96.48%). The prophylactic antiplasmodial activity of ME (92.50% suppression) was also significant (P<0.01) and was more effective than pyrimethamine (85.00%). Additionally, cell membrane integrity of non-parasitized erythrocytes incubated with 125-500 mg/mL F1 was maintained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate the antiplasmodial efficacy of P. niruri methanol extract, and the localization of this effect in its chloroform fraction.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, P.M.B. 21, Abuja, Nigeria. iphie_odike@yahoo.com
authors: Obidike
authors: O
authors: Ifeoma
authors: Okhale
authors: O
authors: Samuel
authors: Aboh Mercy
authors: AM
authors: Itohan
authors: Salawu Oluwakanyinsola
authors: SO
authors: Adeola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D002725:Chloroform / Q000494:pharmacology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D029803:Phyllanthus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects*; D012997:Solvents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; D002725:Chloroform; D000432:Methanol