Effect of neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica) in reducing the degree of parasitemia and apoptosis in C57BL mice with cerebral malaria

Rahmah, Zainabur ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0232-6891, Nirmala, Kautsar Citra ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8871-8428, Nashichuddin, Ach. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8273-8878, Riskiyana, Riskiyana ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6494-8511, Milliana, Alvi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1010-3591, Indriana, Nurfianti ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1116-840X, Astari, Lina Fitria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4777-5092, Ayudianti, Prida ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3961-8127 and Kholil, Munawar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7239-0648 (2024) Effect of neem leaf extract (Azadirachta indica) in reducing the degree of parasitemia and apoptosis in C57BL mice with cerebral malaria. Veterinary World, 17 (7). pp. 1497-1503. ISSN 2231-0916

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Abstract

Background and Aim: Brain malaria, which results from Plasmodium falciparum infection, is responsible for substantial fatalities and health issues. These processes, including cytoadherence, rosetting, and sequestration, induce an immune response, hypoxia, brain microvascular obstruction, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and cell death. Parasitemia level can reveal the presence of infection and its association with apoptosis-related genes. Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves with antimalarial properties could replace ineffective Indonesian malaria medications. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of neem leaf extract on cerebral malaria-induced parasitemia and neuron cell apoptosis in mice through an in vivo approach.

Materials and Methods: 13–16 weeks old C57BL mice received infection by Plasmodium berghei strain ANKA. Parasitemia was estimated daily from the mice’s tail blood. 8 mg, 12 mg, and 16 mg of a 96% ethanolic neem leaf extract were orally given for 6 days. Healthy, positive, and negative controls were included for treatment comparisons. On the 7th day, brain tissue was analyzed for (p > 0.05) gene expression. Through immunohistochemistry, both cell apoptosis in neurons expressing caspase-3 within a brain sample and the degree of parasitemia in a blood smear were assessed. The Pearson correlation test and one-way analysis of variance were employed to analyze the data.

Results: Neem leaf extract reduces parasitemia and neuron cell apoptosis at multiple dosages (p < 0.000). Apoptosis in brain neurons and parasitemia show a strong positive correlation (r = +0.939). Neem leaf extract at doses of 12 and 16 mg was the most effective in reducing parasitemia levels and causing cell death.

Conclusion: Neem leaf therapy significantly reduced the degree of parasitemia and cell apoptosis in C57BL mice compared with the control group without treatment (p = 0.05). This shows that neem leaves have the potential to be a candidate drug for malaria.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	apoptosis; Azadirachta indica; cerebral malaria; neem leaves; parasitemia
Subjects:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1103 Clinical Sciences > 110309 Infectious Diseases
Divisions:	Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences > Department of Medical Education
Depositing User:	Dr Zainabur Rahmah
Date Deposited:	18 Jul 2024 11:14

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