Antiplasmodial Activity of Aqueous Extract from the Root Bark of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae) in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei Nk-65

Abstract

Medicinal plants continue to play a vital role in malaria management across Africa, particularly in response to the growing resistance of malaria parasites to conventional antimalarial drugs. Boswellia dalzielii has been reported to possess antimalarial activity. However, scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of its root bark remains limited. This study investigated the antimalarial potential of Boswellia dalzielii root bark extract in Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK-65. The collected root bark was thoroughly washed, air-dried, pulverized, and macerated in distilled water. The extract was subsequently subjected to phytochemical screening, acute toxicity evaluation, and in vivo antimalarial assessment. Eighteen mice were randomly assigned into six groups comprising infected mice treated with a standard antimalarial drug, infected untreated mice, infected mice administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract, and uninfected untreated controls. Parasitaemia levels, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight changes, and mean survival time were evaluated. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, balsams, carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds. Acute toxicity testing indicated that the extract was safe at the administered doses. In vivo results demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in parasitaemia, improvement in PCV, and increase in body weight among treated mice. Administration of 400 mg/kg of the extract extended the mean survival time to 20 days, exceeding the 17-day survival period observed with the standard drug, with antimalarial activity comparable to chloroquine phosphate (25 mg/kg). These findings suggest that Boswellia dalzielii root bark is safe and contains bioactive constituents with promising antimalarial properties.