Assessment of Anti-Malaria Efficacy of Azadirachta indica Leaf Extracts in Albino Wistar Rats
Ikpe Vitalis PhD, MNSBMB, FIMLS, FCAI
Department of Biochemistry,
Caritas University, Enugu, Nigeria
Email: ikpeforsuccess@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Azadirachta indica (Neem) is variously referred to as “wonder tree”, sacred “tree”, “Heal All”, “Nature’s Drugstore”, “Village pharmacy” and “Panacea for all diseases”. Its anti-malaria efficacy was investigated using hot (100oC) and cold water extracts. Twenty-four albino rats of both sexes (average age: 3months, weight 200-220gram) were divided into three groups of eight rats. Group 1 (the control group) received only feed, group 2 received feed, hot and cold water extracts 6 days before being infected with malaria parasite while group 3 rats were infected with malaria parasite 6 days before receiving hot and cold water extract. Blood samples were collected from the rats through eye puncture with capillary tubes 24hrs and 72hs later and examined for malaria parasite load with giemsa and leishman stained films using tally method of counting. There was no malaria infection in the control and group 2 rats. In group 3, the administered parasite load (+++) was completely eradicated within 72hs. The observed anti-malaria effect of neem leaf suggests a dual role in preventing and eradicating plasmodia activity.
Keywords: Neem leaf, extracts, malaria, treatment, prevention.
