Amira Rahana Abdullahi, Malami Sani, Umar S Abdussalam, Bichi La
Malaria is an endemic infectious disease that is widespread in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world, leading to morbidity and mortality. Detarium microcarpum (Family: Fabaceae) is used traditionally in the treatment of malaria, diabetes, hypertension, pneumonia etc. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity and safety profile of methanol leaf extract of Detarium microcarpum. Phytochemical screening and oral median lethal dose (LD50) estimation of the extract were carried out. The antiplasmodial activity was evaluated in mice infected with chloroquine sensitive plasmodium berghei-berghei using curative, suppressive and prophylactic experimental models. Rats were orally administrated the extract of Detarium microcarpum daily for 28 days, biochemical assay and hematological analysis were conducted. Data were analysed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenes and glycosides. Oral LD50 of the extract was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg. The extract at all doses tested produced a significant (p<0.001) curative, suppressive and prophylactic effects. The extract also significantly prolonged the survival time of the treated mice up to 19 days compared to the negative control group. The extract revealed some significant change in AST (p<0.01) and ALP (p<0.001) at the highest dose. However, kidney function tests and hematological analysis were not significantly changed in all the treatment groups as compared to the control. The results of this study suggest that the methanol leaf extract of Detarium microcarpum possesses curative, suppressive and prophylactic antiplasmodial activity and relative safety has been observed with the short term use at the doses tested.