DOI: 10.36347/sajp.2020.v09i04.003

Pages: 148-154

The study examines the effects of Vitamin C on malaria parasitamae and the biochemical parameters which is an indicative of the liver function. Twenty wistar Albino rats were by average weight of 100 – 250g divided into 5 groups, Groups 1) served as normal control(NC), group 2 as experimental groups (PC), (Group 3 & 4 ) served as Vitamin C and group 5 served as Artesunate control. All the groups were inoculated with a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium berghei NK-65 following the administration of vitamin C and artesunate drugs. The Animals were treated for 4 days after 24 hours, post infection with P. berghei. Parasitemia levels were assessed by examining Giemsa-stained thin blood smears from each animal via an optical microscope on days 4 and 7. Blood samples collected from the animals via cardiac puncture with the aid of a capillary tube, was allowed to clot for 45 min at room temperature. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 6,000rpm for 15 min and analyzed for liver function parameters. There was a significant suppression (P<0.05) in total parasite count (205.00 & 137.00 and 242.25 & 157.00) on days 4 and 7 when compared with the other controls (300.75 & 403.25), as well as a reduction in liver function parameters with Vitamin C at 15mg & 7.5mg. This study however shows that vitamin C administration to P. berghei infected rats resulted in reducing parasite count as well as reduced malaria related alteration of liver function markers.