Stage-Specific Changes on Plasmodium yoelii yoelii Following Treatment with Hintonia latiflora Stem Bark Extract and Phytochemical-Antioxidant Evaluation

Malaria endemic zones are mostly located on third world countries, where antimalarials are not easily found or patients cannot afford them, and in consequence, they must turn toward natural products or phytomedicines. In the present study, the effect of Hinotnia latiflora (Hl) methanolic stem bark extract (HlMeOHe) on the ultrastructure of the asexual intraerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii (Pyy) after a Peters’ four-day oral treatment was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as the parasite development on blood smears, analyzed by light microscopy. Likewise, extract was subjected to qualitative tests adopting standard procedures for identification of phytoconstituents; its antioxidant activity was evaluated according to the method of Brand-Williams and by the radical cation decolorization assay. Results showed higher percentage of rings and lower percentage of trophozoites and schizonts in the treated animals, in comparison with those of the control groups, which demonstrated lower percentage of rings and trophozoites, and schizonts in higher number. Images of TEM showed in some treated parasites, mild parasite membranes, organelle swelling and ribosomal depletion. The phytochemical profile demonstrated that the extract contains alkaloids, tannis, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics and saponins. The obtained values of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) in μg/mL, for both antioxidant assays were of 423.83 and 202.95 respectively. It is concluded that HlMeOHe altered the development of the intraerythrocytic asexual stages and the ultrastructure of Pyy, and due to its phytochemical constituents, showed an in vitro antioxidant activity.