The efficacy of antioxidant (Vitamin C) in the treatment and management of malaria
Date
2020-04-30
Authors
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Publisher
SAS Publishers, India
Abstract
The study examines the effects of Vitamin C on malaria parasitamae and the biochemical parameters which is an indicative of the liver function. Twenty wistar Albino rats were by average weight of 100 – 250g divided into 5 groups, Groups 1) served as normal control(NC), group 2 as experimental groups (PC), (Group 3 & 4 ) served as Vitamin C and group 5 served as Artesunate control. All the groups were inoculated with a chloroquine-sensitivestrain of Plasmodium berghei NK-65 following the administration of vitamin C and artesunate drugs. The Animals were treated for 4 days after 24 hours, post infection with P. berghei. Parasitemia levels were assessed by examining Giemsa-stained thin blood smears from each animal via an optical microscope on days 4 and 7. Blood samples collected from the animals via cardiac puncture with the aid of a capillary tube, was allowed to clot for 45 min at room temperature. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 6,000rpm for 15 min and analyzed for liver function parameters. There was a significant suppression (P<0.05) in total parasite count (205.00 & 137.00 and 242.25 & 157.00) on days 4 and 7 when compared with the other controls (300.75 & 403.25), as well as a reduction in liver function parameters with Vitamin C at 15mg & 7.5mg. This study however shows that vitamin C administration to P.berghei infected rats resulted in reducing parasite count as well as reduced malaria related alteration of liver function markers.
Description
The article contains tables and figures
Keywords
Vitamin C, plasmodium berghei, malaria, parasitemia, antioxidant., Department of Biotechnology
Citation
Mgbemena, I. C. (2020). The efficacy of antioxidant (Vitamin C) in the treatment and management of malaria. Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy, 9(4), 148 - 154