Comparative Impacts of Alternating Magnetic Field and Crude Extract of Tithonia diversifolia Leaf on Hematological Indices of Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

Abstract

The present study investigated the comparative effects of varying intensities of alternating magnetic field and Tithionia diversifolia crude extract on hematological parameters of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Experimental solenoids were designed to generate the magnetic field, whereas T. diversifolia crude extract was prepared using 80% methanol as solvent. Twenty-five male mice were divided into five groups of five mice each. Mice in the first group were infected with parasite, but untreated; group 2 consisted of parasitized mice treated with Arthemeter/Lumefantrine; group 3 contained infected mice treated with crude extract of T. diversifolia leaf; group 4 contained parasitized mice exposed to a 10mT magnetic field, whereas mice in group 5 consisted of parasitized mice exposed to alternating magnetic field intensity of 20 mT. Parasitemia was confirmed by testing blood drawn from their tails. Group III was treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract each day for seven days whereas Groups IV and V were exposed to alternating magnetic field for six hours each day for seven days. A four-day suppressive test was carried out, and the animals were sacrificed after the seventh day, for the collection of blood prior to assay for hematological parameters. Results from the suppressive test revealed that T. diversifolia suppressed parasitemia count better than alternative magnetic fields, whereas mice that received a magnetic field intensity of 20mT had the most improved hematological indices. The study concludes that alternating magnetic fields have the potential to ameliorate anemic conditions in mouse models of malaria and should be explored further at higher intensities.