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
  this study investigated 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 in 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 co-administration of artesunate and aqueous extract (p < 0.01). Similar trends were also observed with heamatological parameters at 72 hours 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.
authors.forename: Olayemi M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Adegbolagun
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Benjamin O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Emikpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan.
authors.forename: Ibukun Oluwa O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Woranola
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan.
authors.forename: Yetunde
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 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000077332:Artesunate