Nutraceutical potential (in vivo antiplasmodial activity) and phytochemical composition of Mimosa pigra L. Root Extract

Abstract

The increasing resistance of Plasmodium species to standard antimalarial drugs highlights the need for novel agents from medicinal plants. Mimosa pigra L. (Fabaceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of malaria; however, its root extract has not been scientifically validated for antiplasmodial efficacy. This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the methanolic root extract of M. pigra (MEBR) in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Roots of M. pigra were extracted with methanol and analyzed for secondary metabolites using standard phytochemical screening. Swiss albino mice inoculated with P. berghei NK65 were treated orally with MEBR at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg body weight for four consecutive days. Chloroquine (10 mg/kg) served as the positive control, while 5% DMSO acted as the negative control. Parasitaemia and mean survival times were recorded, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test at p < 0.05. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and terpenoids. MEBR exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in parasitaemia, with suppression rates of 36.84%, 45.26%, and 52.42% at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, respectively, compared to 96.84% for chloroquine. Although the extract significantly reduced parasitaemia (p < 0.05), its effect on survival time was moderate, with no visible signs of toxicity observed. The methanolic root extract of M. pigra demonstrates significant antiplasmodial activity, supporting its ethnomedicinal use and warranting further bioassay-guided studies to isolate and characterize active compounds.