Alstonia boonei stem bark aqueous extract ameliorates elevated parasitemia levels, normalises blood glucose, modulates inflammatory biomarkers and enhances antioxidant status in Plasmodium berghei-infected/diabetic mice
Abstract
Objectives
Malaria and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often coexist in sub-Saharan Africa, worsening disease burden and complicating treatment. This study evaluated the protective effects of Alstonia boonei stem bark aqueous extract on Plasmodium berghei-infected diabetic mice.
Methods
Male mice were divided into five groups: normal control, untreated infected/diabetic, chloroquine–metformin treated, and extract-treated groups (40 and 80 mg/kg body weight). Fasting blood glucose, parasitemia, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory markers, and hematological indices were assessed following treatment.
Results
Untreated infected/diabetic mice exhibited significant hyperglycemia, elevated parasitemia, oxidative stress, anemia, and dysregulated inflammatory responses compared with controls. Administration of A. boonei extract produced a dose-dependent reduction in fasting blood glucose and parasitemia, alongside inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The extract enhanced antioxidant status (SOD, catalase, GSH), restored red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume, reduced C-reactive protein levels, and elevated interleukin-10. These effects were more pronounced at 80 mg/kg and comparable to the standard drug group.
Conclusions
A. boonei stem bark aqueous extract demonstrated antihyperglycemic, antiplasmodial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in malaria–diabetes comorbidity. The findings support its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing malaria and diabetes co-occurrence.
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Research ethics: The University and Institutional protocol for experimental animals’ welfare and rights were strictly animal with protocol number: FUTA/23/012.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: OMA: Conceptualised, Carry out bioassays, data analysis, proof read and supervised the research. OFA: Carried out bioassay, draft of the manuscript. GO: provide logistic, Final proof reading.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: Not applicable.
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© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Reviews
- Efficacy of mangosteen as local drug delivery for improving periodontal health in adults with periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Catechins in cancer therapy: integrating traditional and complementary approaches
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- Opinion Paper
- Naturopathy and the Ottawa Charter: a synergistic model for community health promotion in rural India
- Research Articles
- Investigating the therapeutic potential of medical leech and leech saliva extract in flap survival: an in vivo study using rats
- Alstonia boonei stem bark aqueous extract ameliorates elevated parasitemia levels, normalises blood glucose, modulates inflammatory biomarkers and enhances antioxidant status in Plasmodium berghei-infected/diabetic mice
- Nutritional, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and toxicity assessments of an herbal formulation using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches
- Molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and ADME analysis of Moringa oleifera phytochemicals targeting NS5 protein: towards the development of novel anti-dengue therapeutics
- Impact of licorice supplementation on cardiac biomarkers and histomorphological changes in rats
- Effects of minas frescal cheese enriched with Lactobacillus acidophilus La-05 on bone health in a preclinical model of chronic kidney disease
- Teratogenic effect of unregistered traditional Chinese medicine containing Atractylodis lancea radix, Glycyrrhiza glabra radix, Rheum officinale rhizome, and Angelica dahurica radix on fetal morphology of BALB/c mice
- Network pharmacology based investigation of the multi target mechanisms of Murraya koenigii (curry leaves) in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Protective effects of citronellol on Escherichia coli septicemia-derived liver lesions in Wistar rats
- The effects of spilanthol (SA3X) supplementation on muscle size and strength in healthy men – a randomized parallel-group placebo-controlled trial
- Navigating complementary and alternative medicine use, medication adherence, and herb–drug interaction risks among gout patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study in indonesia
- Evaluation of photobiomodulation for modulating peripheral inflammation via the lumbosacral medullary region
- Traditional alternative and complementary medicine: a review of undergraduate courses and curricula in Peru
- Congress Abstracts
- Natural Health Products Research Society of Canada Natural Health Products and Cancer Mini-Symposium 2025
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Reviews
- Efficacy of mangosteen as local drug delivery for improving periodontal health in adults with periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Catechins in cancer therapy: integrating traditional and complementary approaches
- Phytochemical innovations in oral cancer therapy: targeting oncogenic pathways with natural compounds
- Opinion Paper
- Naturopathy and the Ottawa Charter: a synergistic model for community health promotion in rural India
- Research Articles
- Investigating the therapeutic potential of medical leech and leech saliva extract in flap survival: an in vivo study using rats
- Alstonia boonei stem bark aqueous extract ameliorates elevated parasitemia levels, normalises blood glucose, modulates inflammatory biomarkers and enhances antioxidant status in Plasmodium berghei-infected/diabetic mice
- Nutritional, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and toxicity assessments of an herbal formulation using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches
- Molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and ADME analysis of Moringa oleifera phytochemicals targeting NS5 protein: towards the development of novel anti-dengue therapeutics
- Impact of licorice supplementation on cardiac biomarkers and histomorphological changes in rats
- Effects of minas frescal cheese enriched with Lactobacillus acidophilus La-05 on bone health in a preclinical model of chronic kidney disease
- Teratogenic effect of unregistered traditional Chinese medicine containing Atractylodis lancea radix, Glycyrrhiza glabra radix, Rheum officinale rhizome, and Angelica dahurica radix on fetal morphology of BALB/c mice
- Network pharmacology based investigation of the multi target mechanisms of Murraya koenigii (curry leaves) in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Protective effects of citronellol on Escherichia coli septicemia-derived liver lesions in Wistar rats
- The effects of spilanthol (SA3X) supplementation on muscle size and strength in healthy men – a randomized parallel-group placebo-controlled trial
- Navigating complementary and alternative medicine use, medication adherence, and herb–drug interaction risks among gout patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study in indonesia
- Evaluation of photobiomodulation for modulating peripheral inflammation via the lumbosacral medullary region
- Traditional alternative and complementary medicine: a review of undergraduate courses and curricula in Peru
- Congress Abstracts
- Natural Health Products Research Society of Canada Natural Health Products and Cancer Mini-Symposium 2025