Chrysophyllum albidum pulp may help prevent malaria in pregnancy.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Traditional Consumption of the Fruit Pulp of Chrysophyllum albidum (Sapotaceae) in Pregnancy may be Serving as an Intermittent Preventive Therapy against Malaria Infection
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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Chibueze Peter Ihekwereme, Frances Kaosiso Okoye, Sandra Chinenye Agu, Angus Nnamdi Oli
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Traditional Consumption of the Fruit Pulp of Chrysophyllum albidum (Sapotaceae) in Pregnancy may be Serving as an Intermittent Preventive Therapy against Malaria Infection
Year: 2017
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Malaria remains a significant public health issue in regions where it is endemic, especially affecting pregnant women and their unborn children. This study investigates the antimalarial potential of the fruit pulp and seeds of Chrysophyllum albidum, a plant traditionally consumed by pregnant women in southeastern Nigeria. Previous studies have shown that other parts of the plant possess antimalarial properties, suggesting that the fruit pulp may also contribute to malaria prevention during pregnancy.
The Antimalarial Properties of Chrysophyllum albidum
The study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the pulp juice and seed of C. albidum in combating malaria. Results from the experiments indicated that both the pulp and seed exhibit significant schizonticidal activity, effectively suppressing malaria infection in mice caused by Plasmodium berghei. The pulp juice demonstrated a maximum suppression rate of 81.08% at a dose of 1000 mg/kg, while the seed extract showed even higher suppression rates of up to 97.30%. Importantly, the consumption of this fruit pulp by pregnant women is suggested to provide intermittent preventive therapy against malaria, making it a vital component of traditional healthcare practices in the region.
Conclusion
The findings highlight the potential of Chrysophyllum albidum as an important natural remedy for malaria, particularly for pregnant women who are at heightened risk. The presence of antimalarial constituents in both the fruit pulp and seeds reinforces the ethnobotanical use of this plant, suggesting that traditional consumption may indeed have beneficial implications for malaria prevention during pregnancy. Future research should focus on isolating the specific active compounds within the plant to better understand their mechanisms and establish clinical guidelines for their use in malaria prevention.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the significance of Chrysophyllum albidum in pregnancy?
Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp may serve as an intermittent preventive therapy against malaria infection in pregnant women, potentially offering some protection to both the mother and unborn child.
What were the methods used to evaluate antimalarial activity?
The study employed the Peter’s 4-day suppressive test and evaluated both prophylactic and curative antimalarial activities using albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.
What were the results of the antimalarial efficacy tests?
The seed and pulp extracts exhibited significant schizonticidal activities, with suppression rates ranging from 72.97% to 97.30%, indicating their potential effectiveness against malaria.
Was there any noted toxicity from consuming Chrysophyllum albidum?
Both the pulp and seed extracts were found safe with an acute toxic dose beyond 5000 mg/kg, suggesting that traditional consumption of the fruit pulp does not harm users.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Chrysophyllum albidum pulp may help prevent malaria in pregnancy.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Activity:
Activity refers to the ability of a compound or substance to produce a specific effect or response. In pharmacology, it often relates to the efficacy of a drug or natural product in inducing a biological response, such as reducing malaria parasitemia as observed in the antimalarial studies of Chrysophyllum albidum.
2) Science (Scientific):
Scientific pertains to the methods and principles of science, emphasizing empirical evidence obtained through experimentation and observation. The scientific approach adopted in researching Chrysophyllum albidum validates traditional claims regarding its medicinal use, ensuring that findings are credible and can contribute to future drug discovery efforts.
3) Blood:
Blood is a vital fluid that circulates in the body, delivering necessary substances such as oxygen and nutrients to cells and transporting waste products for excretion. In malaria research, blood is crucial for studying infection dynamics, assessing parasitemia levels, and evaluating the efficacy of antimalarial treatments.
4) Toxicity:
Toxicity refers to the degree to which a substance can harm living organisms. In the study, evaluating the toxicity of extracts from Chrysophyllum albidum is essential to ensure safety, particularly since traditional remedies are often used in vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women who are more susceptible to adverse effects.
5) Drug:
A drug is a substance that causes a physiological change in the body and is utilized for medical treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of diseases. The discussion of potential antimalarial drugs derived from natural sources like Chrysophyllum albidum highlights the importance of exploring alternative therapeutic options amid growing resistance to conventional antimalarial therapies.
6) Phytochemical:
Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds found in plants that may have health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The presence of phytochemicals in the pulp and seed of Chrysophyllum albidum suggests that they could play a role in its observed antimalarial activity, supporting the traditional use of the plant.
7) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the study of drugs, including their effects, mechanisms, and therapeutic uses. The research on the antimalarial properties of Chrysophyllum albidum contributes to pharmacology by investigating how plant extracts can be utilized in treating malaria, particularly in pregnant women.
8) Toxicology:
Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms. In the context of the study, understanding the toxicology of Chrysophyllum albidum extracts is crucial to determine safe dosages and identify possible side effects, ensuring that traditional consumption does not lead to harmful outcomes.
9) Water:
Water is a vital component for life and plays a critical role in biological processes. In this study, water was used in the preparation of the pulp juice extract from Chrysophyllum albidum, emphasizing the necessity of suitable solvents for extracting bioactive compounds that contribute to the substance's medicinal properties.
10) Flavonoid:
Flavonoids are a class of phytonutrients known for their antioxidant activities and potential health benefits. The presence of flavonoids in Chrysophyllum albidum may contribute to its antimalarial effects, making it relevant for research focusing on natural compounds with the potential to enhance health and combat diseases like malaria.
11) Post:
Post refers to a time following a specific event, often used in research to describe observations made after treatment or intervention. In the study of Chrysophyllum albidum, examining parasite levels post-treatment provides insights into the effectiveness and duration of action of the natural extracts against malaria.
12) Medicine:
Medicine is the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. The exploration of traditional remedies, such as those derived from Chrysophyllum albidum, addresses the intersection of herbal medicine and modern pharmacology, contributing to the development of effective treatments for malaria and possibly influencing future healthcare practices.
13) Sandra (Samdra):
Sandra refers to one of the co-authors of the study, Sandra Chinenye Agu. The contribution of various researchers is vital in collaborative studies as diverse expertise enriches the research scope, promotes comprehensive analysis, and enhances the reliability of results regarding the antimalarial properties of Chrysophyllum albidum.
14) Substance:
A substance is any material with a definitive chemical composition. In the study, the active substances derived from Chrysophyllum albidum extracts are examined for their pharmacological activity, emphasizing the importance of understanding the specific components responsible for the observed therapeutic effects against malaria.
15) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological refers to the study of how drugs interact with biological systems. The pharmacological evaluation of Chrysophyllum albidum includes understanding its efficacy as an antimalarial agent by analyzing the impact of its extracts on infections caused by Plasmodium berghei in animal models.
16) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibacterial agents combat bacteria to prevent infections. While the study mainly focuses on antimalarial properties, the mention of antibacterial activity implies potential broader applications for substances derived from Chrysophyllum albidum, highlighting the wide spectrum of pharmacological benefits that may exist within its components.
17) Discussion:
Discussion is a critical section of research where findings are interpreted, implications are assessed, and future directions are suggested. In the context of Chrysophyllum albidum, the discussion may cover the significance of the results, potential applications of the extracts, and the need for further research to explore its medicinal properties.
18) Habitat:
Habitat refers to the natural environment where a species resides. For Chrysophyllum albidum, understanding its habitat in tropical Africa is essential for conservation efforts and for ensuring sustainable harvesting practices, which are crucial for maintaining its availability as a natural resource for traditional medicine.
19) Sugar:
Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that serves as a primary energy source. Its relevance in the study could pertain to the nutritional aspects of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit, highlighting its potential as a dietary component while also considering metabolic interactions that may influence the efficacy of medicinal constituents.
20) Diet:
Diet encompasses the sum of food consumed by an individual, which can influence health outcomes. Promoting the consumption of nutritionally beneficial plants like Chrysophyllum albidum in the diet could enhance protective effects against diseases like malaria, reflecting the interplay between nutrition and medicinal benefits derived from natural foods.
21) Worm:
Worms generally refer to parasitic creatures that can inhabit the body and cause disease. The mention in the study may relate to traditional uses of Chrysophyllum albidum in treating intestinal worms, drawing attention to its broader medicinal applications beyond malaria and highlighting the importance of ethnopharmacology in understanding plant-based treatments.