Abstract

One of the effects of Plasmodium infection which causes malaria is the invasion of the hepatocyte which affects liver and blood transaminases activities. This study was design to examine the hepato-protective effect of Aframomum sceptrum in mice infected withPlasmodium berghei. Thirty-six abino male mice infected (test) and non infected (control) of 8 weeks old were used for this research. The mice were divided into six groups of six mice per group. Biochemical parameters measured in serum and liver samples include, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amniotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. Serum and liver ALT, AST and ALP activities were significantly higher in parasitized control mice as compared with all other groups. Parasitized mice receiving 250 and 350 mg/kg body weight of A. sceptrum have comparable (p>0.05) serum and liver ALT activities with the normal control mice. However, normal mice receiving both doses of A. sceptrum did not show any increase of serum ALT, AST and ALP activities with their respective controls. This result is supported by the histological examination of liver section of parasitized mice treated with 350 mg/kg b. wt of A. sceptrum showing moderately brought central vein, hepatic cell with preserved cytoplasm and prominent nucleus. It can therefore be inferred from the study that the administration of A. sceptrum to malaria infected mice at 250 and 350 mg/kg b. wt did not damage hepatocyte as expressed by the parasitized mice and also treatment with extract could protect hepatocyte integrity of Plasmodium infected mice.

Key words: Aframomum sceptrum, malaria, liver enzymes, Plasmodium berghei.