Antimalarial and antiplasmodial activity of husk extract and fractions of Zea mays.
BACKGROUND
Zea mays L. (Poacae) husk decoctions are traditionally used in the treatment of malaria by various tribes in Nigeria.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the antimalarial and antiplasmodial potentials of the husk extract and fractions on malaria parasites using in vivo and in vitro models.


METHODS
The ethanol husk extract and fractions (187-748 mg/kg, p.o.) of Zea mays were investigated for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei using rodent (mice) malaria models and in vitro activity against chloroquine sensitive (Pf 3D7) and resistant (Pf INDO) strains of Plasmodium falciparum using the SRBR green assay method. Median lethal dose and cytotoxic activities against HeLa and HEKS cells were also carried out. The GCMS analysis of the most active fraction was carried out.


RESULTS
The husk extract (187-748 mg/kg, p.o.) with LD50of 1874.83 mg/kg was found to exert significant (p < 0.05-0.001) antimalarial activity against P. berghei infection in suppressive, prophylactive and curative tests. The crude extract and fractions also exerted prominent activity against both chloroquine sensitive (Pf 3D7) and resistant (Pf INDO) strains of P. falciparum with the ethyl acetate fraction exerting the highest activity with IC50values of 9.31 ± 0.46 μg/mL (Pf 3D7) and 3.69 ± 0.66 μg/mL (Pf INDO). The crude extract and fractions were not cytotoxic to the two cell lines tested with IC50values of >100 μg/mL against both HeLa and HEKS cell lines.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the husk extract/fractions of Zea mays possesses antimalarial and antiplasmodial activities and these justify its use in ethnomedicine to treat malaria infections.
a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy , University of Uyo , Uyo , Nigeria.|b Malaria Research Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , New Delhi , India.
Jude E
JE
Okokon
c Department of Chemistry , University of Uyo , Uyo , Nigeria.
Bassey S
BS
Antia
b Malaria Research Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , New Delhi , India.
Dinesh
D
Mohanakrishnan
b Malaria Research Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , New Delhi , India.
Dinkar
D
Sahal
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
D000962:Antimalarials; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; D002738:Chloroquine
Herbal medicine; Plasmodium berghei; ethnopharmacology; plasmodium falciparum; tropical diseases