Potential of Justicia secunda Vahl Beverage against Anemia and its Correlated Factors, Malaria and Infectious Diarrhea

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the in vivo antianemic activity and in vitro antiplasmodial and antibacterial activities of beverage and fractions from leaves of Justicia secunda. Methodology: The beverage was prepared according to the traditional method and was further partitioned using dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The beverage was firstly subjected to the determination of solute content and mineral analysis. After that, for antianemic assay, anemia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of phenyl hydrazine at the dose of 40 mg kg−1 per day for two days. The antianamic potential was studied by given the beverage orally to anemic rats at 157.14 mg kg−1 body weight, once a day during 14 days. The antibacterial potential was evaluated using broth microdilution method against 14 resistant strains of gastroenteritis. Beverage and its obtained fractions were subjected to the in vitro antiplasmodial study against the Chloroquine resistant (3D7) strain using SYBR green florescence assay. Beverage and promising fraction were further assessed for cytotoxicity and phytochemical studies. Results: The decrease of haematological parameters induced by phenylhydrazine were restored after 14 days of treatment compared to the negative control group. All extracts showed antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values ranging from 5.74 to 100.26 μg mL−1. Beverage exhibited moderate activity with MIC ≤1024 μg mL−1. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, coumarins, saponosides and steroids. The extracts contain mineral elements, such as iron, zinc and copper. No extract was toxic on cells. Conclusion: Therefore, Justica secunda could improve a state of malaria anemia and diarrhea crisis.