Haematological Indices of Plasomodium berghei NK65 Infected Mice Treated with Ethanol Extract of Arthropteris palisotii

Malaria continues to be a major global health issue, with more than three hundred million infections and one million deaths every year. Despite extensive efforts to control the disease, drug resistance and the emergence of new Plasmodium strains remain persistent challenges, necessitating the exploration of innovative therapeutic strategies. The study investigated the impact of varying doses of Arthropteris palisotii extract on some haematological indices in Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. Swiss albino mice were inoculated intra-peritoneally with Plasmodium berghei NK65. The mice were grouped into six groups, six mice per group. Group NC were not infected with P.berghei, Group Neg.C and SD served as both negative and standard controls respectively, while Group LD, MD, and HD were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight of Arthropteris palisotii extract respectively. After treatment period, all mice were sedated with ketamine and dissected. Blood obtained by cardiac puncture using EDTA treated bottles, sterile syringes and needles. Hematological indices were measured using standard methods. The extract caused 14.3%, 36.3% and 69.2% suppression in parasitaemia at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight respectively while Artesunate exerted 10.1% suppression at 5mg/kg body weight. There were significant decreases (P<0.05) in parasite density in the groups treated with extract of Arthropteris palisotii compared to the untreated group (Neg.C). Arthropteris palisotii exhibited significant performance in enhancing mild erythropoiesis, as well as in protecting blood cells from potential infections resulting from the inflammatory responses by Plasmodium bergheiin malaria conditions.