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Antimalarial and antioxidant efficacy of medicinal plant, Morus alba: an integrated study using histopathological, hematological, biochemical, and molecular docking approaches
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health challenge due to increasing resistance. The present study evaluates the antiplasmodial potential of Morus alba methanolic extract (MAME) in a murine model. Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected BALB/c mice were treated with chloroquine (5 mg/kg) and Morus alba methanolic leaf extract (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg). The experimental grouping included Group A (Control), B (Negative control), C (Positive control), D1, D2, and D3 (All treated with 250, 500 & 750 mg/kg of Morus alba methanolic extract). Acute toxicity testing showed no mortality at 2000 mg/kg. Significant parasite inhibition in group D3 proved antiplasmodial potential of extract at a higher dose of 750mg/kg. Phytochemical screening revealed phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. The concentration of extract for 50% inhibition of biological activity was calculated as (IC50 was 14.01 ug/ml) which showed its potency as biological agent. In silico analysis of bioactive phytocompounds identified via GC-MS showed strong affinity for newly discovered antimalarial target, Plasmodium falciparum glutathione S transferase PfGST. These findings suggest dose-dependent antimalarial and antioxidant effects of Morus alba.
