CURATIVE EFFECT OF ENTADA AFRICANA BARK ON TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA GENE IN MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI
Abstract
Malaria continues to pose a significant global health challenge, particularly in regions with limited
healthcare access. Plasmodium berghei, a rodent malaria parasite, serves as a crucial model for
understanding host-parasite interactions akin to human malaria. Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α)
plays a pivotal role in the immune response against malaria parasites, but its dysregulation can lead to
severe immunopathology. The study explores the curative effects of Entada africana (African Dream
Herb) bark extracts, specifically alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, and crude extracts, on TNF-α gene
expression in mice infected with P. berghei. The findings reveal distinct responses among extracts, with
flavonoids showing a significant upregulation at 400mg/Kg, indicating a potential concentrationdependent effect. Alkaloid extracts exhibit stable effects on TNF-α expression, aligning with their
known pharmacological activities. Crude extracts display dose-dependent differences, emphasizing the
complexity of their composition. Saponin extracts exhibit promising dosage-dependent regulatory
abilities, suggesting their potential as immune response modulators. The study underscores the
multifaceted therapeutic potential of E. africana extracts, urging further exploration for a nuanced
understanding and potential combination therapy strategies.
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