Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of Telfairia Occidentalis as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Malaria with Artemether/Lumefantrine Regimen in Children with Acute Uncomplicated Malaria

Malaria, one of the deadliest diseases in Africa, continues to be a public health problem in Cameroon. Malaria management involves the use of conventional drugs such as artemether/Lumefantrine (AL), the first drug of choice in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Telfairia occidentalis (Pumpkin Leaves), a vegetable plant consumed in most parts of the world and with potential antimalarial properties, could serve as an adjunct therapy in malaria management. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of Telfairia occidentalis on the hemoglobin level, parasitaemia clearance rate and the liver enzymes activity in children below 16 years. In an open labeled randomized clinical trial, enrolled participants with P. falciparum malaria and Hemoglobin level > 5g/dL were selected to receive either AL + placebo or AL and raw (or boiled) capsulated Telfairia occidentalis (2 x 1gram) for 3 days and followed up for 7 days. Hemoglobin levels and the activity of liver enzymes were measured and data analysed using Graph pad prism version 8.0.1. The overall findings showed that The Hemoglobin level and hematocrit increased after AL treatment but a significant increase was seen in the AL + Raw Pumpkin (RP) treated group with mean Hb levels ranging from 10.30±0.57g/dL on D0 to 12.43±0.57 g/dL on D7, p≤0.05. Parasite density decreased in both groups but significantly decreased in the group receiving AL+RP with a mean parasite density decrease from 3412.5±1044 P/μl on D0 t0 0.000 P/μL on D7. Liver enzymes activity was seen to significantly decreased in the AL + RP group with mean AST and ALT ranging from 40.53±3.739 IU/L and 48.71±5.385 IU/L at baseline to 9.075±2.131 IU/L and 8.925±2.105 IU/L on D7 respectively. Conclusively, Telfairia occidentalis has an impact on parasite density, the hemoglobin level and liver enzyme modulatory effects and works in synergy with AL for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria