EVALUATION OF IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIPLASMODIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE ACETONE EXTRACT OF CRINUM JAGUS BULBS (LILIACEAE) LINN.

This study evaluated the acetone extract of Crinum jagus bulbs for its antioxidant, and antiplasmodial properties. The bulbs of Crinum jagus are used in traditional medicine for various ailments. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using DPPH and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assay. The antiplasmodial activity (suppressive, prophylactic and curative activity) was evaluated in-vivo against Plasmodium berghei at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg through the oral route in Swiss albino mice. Isolation and characterization of the active principles were done using GC-MS techniques. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and alkaloids. The LD₅₀ was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. The extract showed a dose-dependent antioxidant activity against the various assays. The extract caused dose-dependent and statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction of parasiteamia in the antiplasmodial suppressive and prophylactic study. Bowdensine and demethoxy bowdensine were the active principles found on chemical analysis of the extract, using GC-MS. The results indicate that this extract may possess antioxidant, prophylactic and suppressive antiplasmodial activities, probably attributable to the bowdensine and demethoxy bowdensine constituents.