Preliminary Study: Neurobehavioural Effects of Nauclea latifolia and Emilia sonchifolia in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei

This study was designed to examine the effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Nauclea latifolia and Emilia sonchifolia on anxiety, fear and locomotion in mice infected with plasmodium berghei berghei. Thirty male Swiss albino mice weighing between 26-30g divided into five groups with six mice in each group. Group 1 served as the Control group and was treated with 0.2ml of normal saline, Group 2 served as the parasitized non-treated, Group 3, was parasitized and treated with Coartem®, Group 4 was parasitized then treated with Emilia sonchifolia, Group 5 was parasitized and treated with Nauclea latifolia and Group 6 was parasitized and treated with a combination of Nauclea latifolia and Emilia sonchifolia respectively. The mice were passaged with the parasite intraperitoneally and then administered extract orally using an orogavage cannula for a duration of 5 days. Behavioural tests were performed pretreatment (day 6 after parasite passage) and post-treatment (day 11). The results obtained showed that grooming frequency and stretch attend frequency were significantly (p<0.001) lower in groups 3-5 compared with the Control group. The combined extract treatment in group 5 was significantly (p<0.001) reduced compared with the parasitized non treated group. Line crossing duration was significantly (p<0.001) lower in groups 2 and 4 but significantly higher in groups 3 and 5 compared with the control group. This preliminary study consolidates the view of herbal practitioners that the extract is effective in reducing anxiety and fear and enhances increases locomotion in plasmodium berghei infected mice.