S.hermanni's Capability as an Antimalarial and Antioxidant in a Mice Model of P.berghei ANKA Infection

Background: Malaria poses a substantial threat to healthcare systems across the globe. The escalating resistance of malaria parasites to the absence of affordable and accessible antimalarial medications has exacerbated the challenges associated with malaria treatment. This research aims to evaluate the antimalarial and antioxidant properties of Stichopus hermanni in combination with artemisinin, employing murine malaria models. Method: This study employed the 4-day suppression test procedure and conducted an experimental investigation with a post-test-only control group design. The study involved 35 male BALB/c mice, aged 7-10 weeks, each infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA/PbA. The sample was divided into five groups: C1 (negative control), C2 (positive control), T1 (administered 15 mg/Kg BW/day of Stichopus hermanni ethanol extract and 0.04 mg/g BW/day of artemisinin), T2 (administered 17 mg/Kg BW/day of Stichopus hermanni ethanol extract and 0.04 mg/g BW/day of artemisinin), and T3 (administered 20 mg/Kg BW/day of Stichopus hermanni ethanol extract and 0.04 mg/g BW/day of artemisinin). The parameters measured included % parasitemia level, % growth inhibition, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results: The T3 group exhibited the lowest parasitemia level and the highest degree of growth inhibition compared to the other groups (p-value < 0.05). However, statistically, it did not differ significantly from C2 and T1. Meanwhile, the T3 group demonstrated the lowest MDA levels and the most significant antioxidant capacity compared to the other groups (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on both descriptive and statistical analyses, the combination of Stichopus hermanni ethanol extract and artemisinin exhibits antimalarial and antioxidant activities.