title: Synergistic effect of aqueous extract of Telfaria occidentalis on the biological activities of artesunate in Plasmodium berghei infected mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resistance to most antimalarial drugs has encouraged the use of herbal preparations along with prescribed orthodox drugs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate effect of co-administration of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaves; commonly used as antimalarial and haematinic agent in Nigeria and artesunate using P. berghei animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo curative antiplasmodial effect of T. occidentalis (200mg/kg) alone and combination with artesunate (2mg/kg) were evaluated using albino mice infected with 10(6) parasitized erythrocytes of P. berghei intraperitoneally. The haematological parameters: haemoglobin level, red blood cells and white blood cells and packed cell volume were monitored using standard methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aqueous extract of T. occidentalis, artesunate and the combination gave 72.17±4.07%, 70.43± 4.27% and 85.43±3.65% reduction in parasitaemia after 48hours respectively. A significant enhancement of the PCV was obtained with the coadministration of artesunate and aqueous extract (p< 0.01). Similar trends were also observed with heamatological parameters at 72hours of administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed a synergistic effect of the co-administration on parasite clearance rate of P. berghei infection in mice, with a significant enhancement of haematological parameters within 48 hours of administration. This indicates a rapid rate of recovery from plasmodial infections with the co-administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Adegbolagun
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Emikpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Woranola
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ogunremi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077332:Artesunate; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000737:chemistry*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000077332:Artesunate