Investigation of Biochemical Parameters of Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice after Administration of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Eucalyptus citriodora

The leaf, stem and bark of Eucalyptus citriodora are combined for use in the treatment of malaria in Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria. However, no scientific investigations have been carried out to know the effect of this plant on biochemical parameters of experimental mice. Thus, this study evaluated the biochemical parameters of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei after the administration of ethanolic leaf extract of E citriodora. Twenty-four (24) mice of body weights between 18-25 g were grouped into six groups. Group 1, infected but not treated (negative control), group 2, infected and administered with 0.2 mg/kg of chloroquine (positive control), group 3, not infected, but administered with 0.2 ml of normal saline (normal control), while the remaining three (3) groups were infected and treated with 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectfully. The pack cell volume (PCV) was assessed before and after infection and treatment using standard procedure. The mice were sacrificed on the sixth day and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis using standard methods. The PCV in mice of all groups decrease significantly (p<0.05), except group 3 (normal control) that increased. The alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin level was higher in negative control (group 1) than in all other groups studied, but it was higher in the group treated with 200 mg/kg bd wt of the extract than in the positive control and the groups treated with 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of the extract. A similar trend was observed in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipolipid (HDL) and low density lipolipid (LDL). The level of creatinine, blood urea and nitrogen were observed to be low in groups 1 and 2, compared to other groups. This study revealed that E. citriodora ethanolic leaf extract does not exact toxic effect on the internal organs like liver, kidney and heart.