Antimalarial activity and biochemical effects of saponin-rich extract of Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy in Plasmodium berghei- infected mice

Saponin extract from Dianthus basuticus (SEDB), was investigated for its anti-malarial activity and biochemical effects in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Thirty mice were divided into six groups of five mice each. The mice in group I (control) were uninfected, while those of groups II–VI were infected intraperitoneally with standard (2 × 107) inoculum of chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei (NK65) parasite. Mice in groups I (control) and II (P. berghei-infected) received 0.5 ml of distilled water orally, while those of groups III–VI were treated orally with 5 mg/kg body weight (b.w) chloroquine and 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg b.w of SEDB respectively for four days following the establishment of parasitaemia. Rectal temperature, body weight, percentage parasitaemia, chemosuppression of parasite multiplication, haematological and biochemical parameters were determined. SEBD at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg b.w significantly (p  < 0.05) decreased percentage parasitaemia, rectal temperature and increased (p < 0.05) significantly body weight of the animals, and as well suppressed parasite growth and multiplication particularly at 150 mg/kg. SEDB at all doses restored altered haematological parameters, distortions of the liver and kidney functional indices to normal and increased (p < 0.05) significantly the enzymatic antioxidant defence mechanism. FT-IR analysis of the saponin revealed the existence of aromatic compounds, alcohols, phenols alkyl groups, alkanes, carbonyl compounds and nitro groups. Saponin extract from Dianthus basuticus suppressed malarial parasite by modulation of oxidative stress via fortification of antioxidant defence mechanism and thus suggested it as source of promising alternative antimalarial.