Adverse Haematological Changes in Plasmodium Infected Mice Following Treatment with Azadirachta indica (Neem) Leaf Extract

Background: Azadirachta indica (neem) is an effective natural remedy for malaria treatment in some tropical regions of Africa. This study investigated the impact of Azadirachta indica leaf-extract on some haematological indices of Plasmodium berghei-berghei infected mice.

Materals and Methods: Twenty-five (25) mice weighing between 19 g and 31 g were randomly selected into five (5) groups of 5 animals per group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were inoculated on day 0, intraperitonealy about 1% (4.5x104) Plasmodium berghei berghei parasitized red blood cells. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg of the extract respectively by oral gavage, while group 3 animals were given normal saline. Groups 4 and 5 were not infected but group 4 was treated with 75 mg/kg of the extract and 5 served as normal control mice. Treatment lasted for 14 days. Whole blood was obtained for haematological analysis using Sysmsec® Automated Haematology Analyzer KX-21N.

Results: The result showed significant reduction in red blood cell count (RBC: p = 0.000), packed cell volume (PCV: p = 0.000) and haemoglobin concentration (HB: p = 0.000) of P. berghei berghei infected mice following A. indica leaf-extract administration. The mean cell haemoglobin (MCH: p = 0.006) and mean cell volume (MCV: p = 0.024) were significantly higher when compared to uninfected and untreated control mice. The red cell indices (RBC count, PCV and HB) animals that were infected without extract treatment were significantly higher than those of infected mice that received the extract. Extract treatment to uninfected mice, however, did not show any significant change in these parameters when compared with untreated control animals. Total white blood cell count (WBC: p = 0.005), neutrophils (p = 0.024) and lymphocytes (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in infected treated mice than those without extract treatment. Administration of extract to uninfected mice did not cause any significant change in total white blood cell counts and the differential counts. However, eosinophil (p = 0.214) and platelet (p = 0.152) counts of infected mice receiving extract treatment were not significantly different from those of uninfected control. Conclusion: We therefore conclude that treatment of malaria with extract of A. indica, though may be effective as anti-malaria and could prevent malaria associated platelet changes, may contribute to malaria associated anaemia. Care should, therefore, be taken to follow up the extract treatment with blood building agents.