ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY OF HEXANE EXTRACT OF NEEM LEAVES (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A.JUSS) ON MICE (MUS MUSCULUS)

Abstract

This investigation was focussed on in vivo antimalarial activity and the compounds of hexane extract of neem leaves (Azadirachta indica, A Juss). This investigation should be given for strong science based in using neem leaves as antimalarial drugs. The extract was prepared by maceration in hexane at room temperature (250C) over the period of 72 hours. By using completely randomized design, 55 mice have been divided in 5 groups (n = 11 each group) for treated and control group. The mice were infected by P. berghei on day 0 and on day 1 until day 4 they gave treated drug with doses 0; 100; 200; 400; 800 mg/kg BW/day orally. On day 5 were made thin blood smear by fixation with methanol and stained with giemsa 10% in 30 minutes. The inhibitory of P. berghei growth by the extract were counted and the ED50 obtained by using regression probit analysis. The result shown the inhibitory of P. berghei growth by the hexane extract of neem leaves 78, 35% at level dose 800 mg/kg BW/day and the ED50 was 355,45 mg/kg BW/day. The compunds in hexane extract of neem leaves are triterpenoid, steroid and fenolic compounds.