The limitations in the effectiveness and potential harm associated with traditional anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic medications have sparked the exploration of alternative sources, notably medicinal plants. This study focused on evaluating the alkaloid fraction extracted from the leaves of Maytenus senegalensis for its potential anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
Standard procedures were employed to conduct phytochemical screening and acute toxicity tests. Anti-malarial assessments were performed on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice using a four-day suppressive test, with varying concentrations of the alkaloid fraction (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg bw). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies utilized egg albumin-induced paw edema and hot plate-induced thermal stimuli, respectively, with concentrations of the fraction at 75 and 150 mg/kg bw. Additionally, sub-acute toxicity analysis was carried out by administering the extract to groups of rats (5 in each group) at doses of 0, 75, and 150 mg/kg bw for a period of 28 days.
The findings revealed that Maytenus senegalensis crude methanol extract predominantly contained alkaloids (198.46±2.56 mg/g) as the most abundant phytochemical, while tannins were least abundant (12.45±0.95 mg/g). The alkaloid fraction exhibited an LD50 of >5000 mg/kg bw and demonstrated dose-dependent anti-plasmodial effects, achieving suppressive rates of 38.22±0.53%, 69.80±0.28%, and 79.43±0.42% at concentrations of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg bw, respectively. Moreover, the alkaloid fraction displayed anti-inflammatory effects of 53.16±4.09% and 60.76±7.54%, as well as analgesic effects of 43.35±4.98% and 44.83±3.86% at 75 and 150 mg/kg bw, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis confirmed the presence of three alkaloids: (20α)-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-24-nor-friedela-1(10),3,5,7-tetraen-carboxylic acid-(29)-methylester, 2(4H)-Benzofuranone, 5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro- and 3-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-28-ol, along with a major terpene compound (phytol) within the alkaloid fraction. The alkaloid fraction had an impact on serum total protein and transaminase concentrations in mice, while not affecting sodium, potassium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and glucose concentrations.
In conclusion, the results strongly suggest that the alkaloid fraction derived from the leaves of M. senegalensis holds promise as a source of antimalarial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agents.
EVALUATION OF ALKALOID FRACTION OF MAYTENUS SENEGALENSIS LEAF EXHIBITS ANTI-PLASMODIAL, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, AND ANALGESIC EFFECTS IN MICE, GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
