ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIMALARIAL POTENTIAL OF IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants such as Picralima nitida seed are believed to have antimalarial activity. Often times, they are used in combination with other plants to treat malaria. Nano formulation technology is fundamental in increasing the bioavailability, solubility, extended blood circulation and delivery of medication as well as reducing side effects of such medication. This study aimed at assessing the antimalarial potential of iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticle from methanol extract of Picralima nitida seed (PNN) in mice infected with P. berghi ANKA. A total of 6 mice weighing 20-25g were placed in 2 groups of 3 mice each and used for a 14 days acute toxicity study. Throughout the 14 day observation period, no mortality was recorded at 2 mg/kg b.wt. of PNN. For the malaria study, a total of 28 mice were divided into four groups of 7 mice each. Apart from mice in group 1, mice in groups 2 - 4 were infected with 2 x 105 P. berghei. Animals in group 2 were administered the vehicle (normal saline) and thus served as negative control. Group 3 mice received 25 mg/kg b.wt. chloroquine and served as positive control. Whereas, group 4 mice received 1 mg/kg b.wt. of PNN. After a 4-day administration period, three (03) mice were sacrificed from each group i.e. on day (05) and blood collected for hematological analysis via cardiac puncture. Their spleens were excised and weighed of for the computation of spleen/body ratio. Smear was made from the lateral tail vein of the remaining 4 mice in each group and parasitemia determined. Although, PNN caused a significant decrease (p<0.05) in RBC and HGB levels, % parasitemia was significantly decreased in comparison to negative control. The study thus reports that PNN combines safety with activity against the malaria parasite.