Antiplasmodial Activity of Combined Methanol Leaf Extracts of Dacryodes edulis and Ficus capensis in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract Dacryodes edulis and Ficus capensis are medicinal plants commonly utilized in traditional Nigerian medicine to manage malaria and other ailments. This study evaluated the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of combined methanol leaf extracts of these plants against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK-65 in Swiss albino mice using Peter’s 4-day suppressive test. Thirty -six male mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6): Group 1 (normal control) received the vehicle only; Group 2 (negative control) was infected without treatment; Group 3 (positive control) received chloroquine (10 mg/kg/day), while Groups 4, 5, and 6 received the extract at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatment was administered orally once daily. The combined extract significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed parasitaemia in a dose-dependent manner, achieving 60.48%, 69.07%, and 77.84% suppression, respectively, compared to 96.32% in the chloroquine-treated group. Biochemically, the extract reversed infection-induced elevations in serum liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), with ALT levels reduced by 35.6% at a dose of 500 mg/kg. It also significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and restored reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in liver and brain tissues. Hematological indices such as hematocrit and red blood cell count were significantly improved at 250 and 500 mg/kg, though the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) led to elevated white blood cell counts, indicating possible immune stimulation. These findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of these plants in malaria treatment and suggest their potential as effective and affordable alternatives to conventional antimalarial therapies. Future studies should focus on evaluating the long-term safety profiles to facilitate the development of these agents into clinically viable antimalarials. Keywords: Chloroquine, Dacryodes edulis, Ficus capensis, Malondialdehyde, Plasmoduim berghei.