Anti-malarial Effect of Dracocephalum kotschyi Extract Against Murine Model of Plasmodium berghei Infection

MALARIA is one of the essential protozoal parasitic diseases globally. The present study investigated the antimalarial effect of Dracocephalum kotschyi compared to chloroquine due to the possible side effects of chemical drugs used to treat malaria and the increase in parasite resistance to these drugs. Thirty mice were divided into five groups of six infected with the Plasmodium berghei parasite. The first group represented the negative control group, the second group received chloroquine, and the third to fifth groups were treated with 100, 150, and 250 mg/kg of plant extract. After that, blood samples were taken on days 4, 7, and 14 to determine the parasitemia rate, body temperature, and survival rate.The results indicated that the lowest amount of parasitemia was observed in the group receiving 250 mg/ kg (P < 0.05). On the fourteenth day, the lowest parasitemia was in the groups receiving 100 and 250 mg/kg (P < 0.05). On the fourteenth day, the group receiving a 250 mg/kg treatment had the highest mean temperature (P <.05). Also, the groups receiving chloroquine and D. kotschyi extract were increased until day 17.Based on the results, it can be stated that the effect of D. kotschyi on Plasmodium parasites is remarkable. The segregation and reinforcement of the active antimalarial ingredient of this plant can be considered a promising candidate in the treatment of malaria.