title: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ANTIMALARIAL EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OFPAULLINIA PINNATALEAVES INPLASMODIUM BERGHEIINFECTED MICE AND COURSE OF INFECTION.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the antimalarial activity of methanolic leaves extract ofPaullinia pinnataon chloroquine-sensitivePlasmodium bergheiNK 65 infected mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  The curative study was conducted in thirty-six Wistar albino mice of both sexes which were divided into six groups of six animals each. The animals were infected withP. bergheiNK 65. Group I was the negative control and received the vehicle (10% DMSO). Group II received no treatment. Groups III and IV were the positive controls and received chloroquine (CQ) (10mg/kg) and artesunate (4 mg/kg)-amodiaquine (10mg/kg) combination (ACT) respectively. Groups V and VI received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg doses of the extract respectively. Administration was done orally once for three or four days for the standard drugs or the extract/vehicle respectively. The percentage parasitaemia, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight and death was monitored on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 (7 day post administration). The study of the course of infection ofP. bergheiwas monitored in eighteen Wistar albino mice of both sexes which were similarly grouped, infected and treated for 3 days. Group A received the vehicle (distilled water) only. Group B was treated with CQ (10 mg/kg) and Group C with ACT. The percentage parasitaemia and death was monitored from day 0 to day 30 (27 day post administration).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the curative study, the extract suppressed parasitaemia at both doses on day 4. The group treated with 200mg/kg dose showed a higher percentage chemosuppression though not significant. The course of infection study revealed that recrudescence occurred on day 8 in the CQ treated group which lasted until day 23 after which the recrudescence was lost without re-treatment. A similar result was observed in the ACT group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methanolic leaves extract ofPaullinia pinnatahas weak anti-malarial property. Chloroquine-sensitiveP. bergheiNK65 loses credibility and needs to be revalidated biannually.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Adeyemo-Salami
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Farombi
authors.affiliation: Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Ademowo
keywords: Paullinia pinnata; artemisinin combination therapy; chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK 65; packed cell volume; percentage chemosuppression; recrudescence