Antimalarial Activity of Ethanol Extract of Noni Leaves (Morinda citrifolia) towards Parasitemia, Splenomegaly, and Hepatomegaly in Plasmodium berghei ANKA Infected Mice

Malaria is one of the infectious diseases found in tropical countries and sub-tropical countries. In 2016 there were an estimated 445,000 people died to malaria. Alternative medicine is needed, such as natural based ingredient. Morinda citrifolia or noni plant is a medicinal plant found in all parts of Indonesia which has many benefits, such as antibacterial, analgesic, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. The aims of this study were to determine the antimalarial activity of ethanol extract of noni leaves and its effect on splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.Methods: Extract of noni leaves was prepared by maceration using ethanol solvent. In vivo experiments were conducted using Plasmodium berghei infected BALB/c mice treated with the doses of 100, 10, 1 mg/kg body weight(BW) orally of ethanolic extract of noni leaves. Then, the percentage of parasitemia was calculated from day 1 to day 4 after treatment and at the end of the test, mice were sacrificed then spleen and liver were collected. Results: The highest parasite growth was found in the group treated with noni leaves ethanol extract at a dose of 1 mg/kg WB and vice versa. Probit analysis resulted in ED50 was 0.882 mg/kg WB. Spearmen test showed there was no correlation between doses and the size of splenomegaly with p=0,2 and between doses and the size of hepatomegaly with p=0,6.Conclusion: Ethanol extract of noni leaves possessed antimalaria activity and there was no correlation between doses of extract and t he splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.