title: In vivo antimalarial activity and toxicological effects of methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera (Dwarf red variety) husk fibre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Phytochemical constituents as well as antimalarial and toxicity potentials of the methanolic extract of the husk fibre of Dwarf Red variety of Cocos nucifera were evaluated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dried powdered husk fibre was exhaustively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol successively and the methanolic extract was screened for flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenes, phlobatannins, anthraquinones and glycosides. A 4-day suppressive antimalarial test was carried out using Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected mice, to which the extract was administered at doses of 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (BW). Toxicity of the extract was evaluated in rats using selected hematological parameters and organ function indices after orally administering doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW for 14 d.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, glycosides, steroids and anthraquinones in the extract. Moreover, the extract reduced parasitemia by 39.2% and 45.8% at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW respectively on day 8 post-inoculation. Various hematological parameters evaluated were not significantly altered (P>0.05) at all doses of the extract, except red blood cell count which was significantly elevated (P<0.05) at 100 mg/kg BW. The extract significantly increased (P<0.05) urea, creatinine, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations in the serum as well as atherogenic index, while it reduced albumin concentration significantly (P<0.05) at higher doses compared to the controls. Alanine aminotransferase activity was reduced in the liver and heart significantly (P<0.05) but was increased in the serum significantly (P<0.05) at higher doses of the extract compared to the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that methanolic extract of the Dwarf red variety has partial antimalarial activity at higher doses, but is capable of impairing normal kidney and liver function as well as predisposing subjects to cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Abidemi
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Balogun
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Sylvia Orume
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Malomo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria; E-mail: topebayo2002@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Joseph Oluwatope
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Adebayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ahmed Adebayo
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ishola
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ayodele Olufemi
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Soladoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Lawrence Aderemi
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Olatunji
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olatunji Matthew
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Kolawole
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Stephen Olubunmi
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Oguntoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abiola Samuel
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Babatunde
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwole Busayo
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Akinola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003059:Cocos; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010962:Plasmodium berghei; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts