Authors :
Ngoran Shantine Berinyuy; Theresia Njuabe Metoh; Chi Tchampo Fru; Achille Chi Djouosseu; Mabel Kaghou Mbifung; Nina Ghislaine Yensii; Philip FonGah; Ndi Betrand Bongjo; Carl Moses Mbofung
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/mv6j68ak
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8032244
Abstract :
Malaria, one of the deadliest diseases in
Africa, continues to be a public health problem in
Cameroon. Malaria management involves the use of
conventional drugs such as artemether/Lumefantrine
(AL), the first drug of choice in the treatment of
uncomplicated malaria. Telfairia occidentalis (Pumpkin
Leaves), a vegetable plant consumed in most parts of the
world and with potential antimalarial properties, could
serve as an adjunct therapy in malaria management.
This study investigated the therapeutic effect of Telfairia
occidentalis on the hemoglobin level, parasitaemia
clearance rate and the liver enzymes activity in children
below 16 years. In an open labeled randomized clinical
trial, enrolled participants with P. falciparum malaria
and Hemoglobin level > 5g/dL were selected to receive
either AL + placebo or AL and raw (or boiled)
capsulated Telfairia occidentalis (2 x 1gram) for 3 days
and followed up for 7 days. Hemoglobin levels and the
activity of liver enzymes were measured and data
analysed using Graph pad prism version 8.0.1. The
overall findings showed that The Hemoglobin level and
hematocrit increased after AL treatment but a
significant increase was seen in the AL + Raw Pumpkin
(RP) treated group with mean Hb levels ranging from
10.30±0.57g/dL on D0 to 12.43±0.57 g/dL on D7, p≤0.05.
Parasite density decreased in both groups but
significantly decreased in the group receiving AL+RP
with a mean parasite density decrease from 3412.5±1044
P/μl on D0 t0 0.000 P/μL on D7. Liver enzymes activity
was seen to significantly decreased in the AL + RP group
with mean AST and ALT ranging from 40.53±3.739
IU/L and 48.71±5.385 IU/L at baseline to 9.075±2.131
IU/L and 8.925±2.105 IU/L on D7 respectively.
Conclusively, Telfairia occidentalis has an impact on
parasite density, the hemoglobin level and liver enzyme
modulatory effects and works in synergy with AL for the
treatment of uncomplicated malaria.
Keywords :
Telfairia Occidentalis, Hemoglobin Level, Liver Activity, Dietary Supplement, Malaria, Artemether- Lumefantrine.
Malaria, one of the deadliest diseases in
Africa, continues to be a public health problem in
Cameroon. Malaria management involves the use of
conventional drugs such as artemether/Lumefantrine
(AL), the first drug of choice in the treatment of
uncomplicated malaria. Telfairia occidentalis (Pumpkin
Leaves), a vegetable plant consumed in most parts of the
world and with potential antimalarial properties, could
serve as an adjunct therapy in malaria management.
This study investigated the therapeutic effect of Telfairia
occidentalis on the hemoglobin level, parasitaemia
clearance rate and the liver enzymes activity in children
below 16 years. In an open labeled randomized clinical
trial, enrolled participants with P. falciparum malaria
and Hemoglobin level > 5g/dL were selected to receive
either AL + placebo or AL and raw (or boiled)
capsulated Telfairia occidentalis (2 x 1gram) for 3 days
and followed up for 7 days. Hemoglobin levels and the
activity of liver enzymes were measured and data
analysed using Graph pad prism version 8.0.1. The
overall findings showed that The Hemoglobin level and
hematocrit increased after AL treatment but a
significant increase was seen in the AL + Raw Pumpkin
(RP) treated group with mean Hb levels ranging from
10.30±0.57g/dL on D0 to 12.43±0.57 g/dL on D7, p≤0.05.
Parasite density decreased in both groups but
significantly decreased in the group receiving AL+RP
with a mean parasite density decrease from 3412.5±1044
P/μl on D0 t0 0.000 P/μL on D7. Liver enzymes activity
was seen to significantly decreased in the AL + RP group
with mean AST and ALT ranging from 40.53±3.739
IU/L and 48.71±5.385 IU/L at baseline to 9.075±2.131
IU/L and 8.925±2.105 IU/L on D7 respectively.
Conclusively, Telfairia occidentalis has an impact on
parasite density, the hemoglobin level and liver enzyme
modulatory effects and works in synergy with AL for the
treatment of uncomplicated malaria.
Keywords :
Telfairia Occidentalis, Hemoglobin Level, Liver Activity, Dietary Supplement, Malaria, Artemether- Lumefantrine.
