Abstract

Objective: To evaluate various antiplasmodial and anti-inflammatory activities of Setaria megaphylla to authenticate its potential in traditional medicine. Methods: The crude ethanol extract was divided into two portions. Partitioning of one portion into n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions was carried out. The suppressive, prophylactic and curative effects of 150, 300, 450 mg/kg of the remaining extract portion were evaluated, while suppressive and curative activities were evaluated at 300 mg/kg of each of the above mentioned fractions. Artesunate and pyrimethamine at doses of 5 mg/kg and 1.2 mg/kg respectively were the standard drugs. Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to perform a qualitative analysis of dichloromethane and n-butanol fractions which had the highest antiplasmodial activity. Antipyretic effect of Setaria megaphylla extract was investigated using the D-amphetamine, 2,4-dinitrophenol and yeastinduced pyrexia models with ASA (100 mg/kg) as standard drug. Results: The results on the antiplasmodial and antipyretic activities revealed significant (P < 0.05–0.001) and dose-dependent effects when compared to control. It was observed that the antipyretic activity was quite comparable to the standard drug while the antiplasmodial activity was not. It was also seen that a greater proportion of the components in the fractions subjected to GC-MS were monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Conclusions: This research work on S. megaphylla extract and fractions revealed the presence of phytochemical constituents that also accounted for its observed antiplasmodial and antipyretic effects. This result justifies its usage by the Ibibio Tribe in traditional medicine to treat malaria, pains and diverse fevers.

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