Antimalarial Effect of the Root of Silene macrosolen A. Rich (Caryophyllaceae) on Plasmodium-berghei-Infected Mice

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a major public health problem globally. Poor access to antimalarial drugs compounded with rapidly evolving drug resistance encourages researchers to continuously look for new drugs. Of importance, traditionally used medicines of plant origin are the highest priority as the ethnobotanical claim can be used as an important clue for its safety and efficacy profiles. Silene macrosolen A. Rich (Caryophyllaceae) has been traditionally used for malaria treatment in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activity of the plant against Plasmodium-berghei-infected (ANKA strain) Swiss albino mice. METHODS: The dried powdered root of Silene macrosolen was extracted using 80% methanol. The crude extract was fractionated using chloroform, ethyl acetate, and distilled water that have different affinities to plant phytoconstituents. The in vivo antimalarial activities of the crude extract were evaluated using 4-day suppressive, prophylactic, and curative tests. The antimalarial activity of the solvent fractions was evaluated in a 4-day suppressive test. The oral acute toxicity of the crude extract was also determined according to the OECD guidelines. RESULTS: The percentage of parasite suppression on the crude extract was 31.02%, 35.82%, and 39.23% in prophylactic, curative, and 4-day suppressive tests, respectively, at the tested dose level of 400 mg/kg. The percentages of chemosuppression of the solvent fractions (400 mg/kg) were 43.07%, 42.61%, and 38.38% in aqueous, ethyl acetate, and chloroform fractions, respectively. Both the crude extract and solvent fractions also significantly prolonged survival time except in the prophylactic test. In addition, prevention of weight loss and reduction in temperature and packed cell volume (PCV) were observed in crude extract as well as solvent fractions. The acute toxicity test of the plant extract also exhibited no sign of toxicity. CONCLUSION: The result indicated that Silene macrosolen has a significant antimalarial activity, justifying the traditional use of the plant material for treatment of malaria.