Antiplasmodial and antipyretic effects of ethanol root extract and fractions of Setaria megaphylla (Steud) T. Dur and Schinz (Poaceae)

Abstract

Interest towards scientific investigation of plants used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as malaria, fevers and pain has been rekindled and renewed with tremendous vigour. The Ibibio people in Southern Nigeria have for ages been using different plants and their parts to treat malaria and other fevers even in the face of available conventional drugs. The use of Setaria megaphylla (S. megaphylla) has been done without much documentation[1]. S. megaphylla is an erect perennial broad-leafed bristle grass, canelike with very coarse and robust roots mostly found along rivers, areas with plenty of moisture and in tropical and subtropical Africa with high rainfall[2], e.g. Nigeria. In Southern Nigeria, Ibibio Tribe in Akwa Ibom State used it for treatment of malaria, pain, fevers and diabetes[1]. The in vitro[3] and in vivo[1] researches have shown that S. megaphylla leaves have antiplasmodial effects. The results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, deoxy-sugars, terpenes, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides in the root extract[1]. Data from GCMS studies of n-hexane fraction of the leaves showed that it contained components such as 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid (Z,Z,Z), phthalic acid, diisooctyl ester, vitamin E, γ-elemene, Urs-12-ene, bicyclogermacrene, α-muurolene, germacrene-A, and guaiol among others[4]. The cytotoxic, immunomodulatory and antileishmanial activities of the ethanol leaf extract of S. megaphylla have been reported[4]. There is little available information about the activities of S. megaphylla roots. Therefore, the present research aimed to evaluate and provide information on the medicinal potentials of S. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT