Phytochemical screening with a Bioassay-Guided Toxicity and in Vivo Antimalarial Evaluation of Cleome gynandra Ethyl Acetate extract

Abstract

The growing resistance to conventional antimalarial drugs necessitates the search for alternative therapies from natural sources. This study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial efficacy and toxicity profile of Cleome gynandra extracts, with emphasis on the ethyl acetate fraction. The aerial parts of C. gynandra were extracted sequentially using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The resulting extracts were screened for phytochemicals using standard methods and assessed for toxicity and in vivo antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice. Toxicity was evaluated based on weight change, behavioral signs, and mean survival time (MST). Antimalarial activity was measured using parasitemia reduction. Among the three extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated the highest safety margin and antimalarial efficacy, particularly at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glucosides, phenols, and terpenoids. Treated mice exhibited significant reductions in parasitemia and prolonged survival times without signs of acute toxicity. The ethyl acetate extract of Cleome gynandra possesses potent antimalarial activity and favorable safety in vivo, supporting its traditional use and potential development as a natural antimalarial agent.