EVALUATION OF NEEM- ARTEMETHER COMBINATION FOR ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY IN PLASMODIUM BERGHEI INFECTED MICE

Sanjay Balasaheb Bhawar* and Bhanudas Shankar Kuchekar

ABSTRACT

Studies have shown that neem possess antimalarial activity and a new combination therapy with of artemisinin derivatives and neem is unique. Neem leaf extract was prepared by Continuous hot extraction method and evaluated for antimalarial activity. The mice survival and % parasitemia were studied in Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) infected albino mice treated with neem leaf extract and combination of neem extract with artemether.The mean survival time in mice infected with P. berghei was compared after treatment with neem extract and combination of neem-artemether. Oral administration of neem leaf extract prolonged the survival of P. berghei infected mice. The survival rate in mice treated with neem leaf extract (5mg/day) and artemether (1000 μg) was found 80% after 40 days post infection and they recovered with no detectable parasitemia. Administration of neem artemether combination reduced the parasitemia in mice more effectively compared to that in mice treated with a single drug. A single dose of 1000 μg of artemether in combination with neem gives complete protection in P. berghei infected mice. Suppressive action exerted by combination was superior to that of administration of single drug at the same dose.

Keywords: artemether, mice survival, neem leaf extract, % parasitemia.