Effect of ethanolic extract of Olea europaea on Plasmodium falciparum infected mice

Abstract

Malaria persists as a major health burden in Africa in spite of all efforts at prevention and control. This study aimed at analyzing Olea europaea to establish its scientific basis in treating malaria. Thirty Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group A normal control (no induction, no treatment); group B experimental control (0.2 ml of O ⁺ human parasitized blood of Plasmodium falciparum induced but no treatment administered). Group C, D, and E were induced with Plasmodium falciparum intraperitoneally and treated with 40, 80 and 120 mg/kg body weight (bwt) ethanolic extract of the leaves of Olea europaea respectively . Malaria parasite was confirmed 72 hours after induction using a compound microscope. Group F was induced with the O ⁺ human parasitized ( Plasmodium falciparum ) blood and treated with a reference drug (Artesunate 50 mg/kg). Phytochemical screening of Olea europaea leaf plant extracts revealed high content of alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides. Proximate analysis of the Olea europaea leaf extract revealed 68.80% carbohydrate content, 10.60% moisture content, 37.00% crude fiber, 39.68% crude fat, 14.60% ash content. The 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg bwt of the extract were able to inhibit 33.4%, 59.0% and 79.1% of parasitemia respectively. All infected animals had reduced packed cell volume following infection and increased with treatment. The dose 120 mg/kg bwt of Olea europaea extract was more potent compared to anti-malarial drug (artesunate 50 mg/kg). Hence, this extract and its components may be used as an antimalarial therapeutic agent.