1.1 Introduction
Antimalarial activity or simply antimalarials are a type of antiparasitic chemical agent, often naturally derived, that can be used to treat or to prevent malaria, in the latter case, most often aiming at two susceptible target groups, young children and pregnant women (Ashley et al,. 2018). As of 2018, modern treatments, including for severe malaria, continued to depend on therapies deriving historically from quinine and artesunate, both parenteral (injectable) drugs, expanding from there into the many classes of available modern drugs.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Methanol (CH3OH), also called methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, or wood spirit, the simplest of a long series of organic compounds called alcohols, consisting of a methyl group (CH3) linked with a hydroxy group (OH). Methanol was formerly produced by the destructive distillation of wood. The modern method of preparing methanol is based on the direct combination of carbon monoxide gas and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. Increasingly, syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide derived from biomass, is used for methanol production (Britannica, 2021).
As of 2018, modern treatments, including for severe malaria, continued to depend on therapies deriving historically from quinine and artesunate, both parenteral (injectable) drugs, expanding from there into the many classes of available modern drugs. Incidence and distribution of the disease ("malaria burden") is expected to remain high, globally, for many years to come; moreover, known antimalarial drugs have repeatedly been observed to elicit resistance in the malaria parasite - including for combination therapies featuring artemisinin, a drug of last resort, where resistance has now been observed in Southeast Asia. As such, the needs for new antimalarial agents and new strategies of treatment (e.g., new combination therapies) remain important priorities in tropical medicine. As well, despite very positive outcomes from many modern treatments, serious side effects can impact some individuals taking standard doses (e.g., retinopathy with chloroquine, acute haemolytic anaemia with tafenoquine) (Ashley et al,. 2018).
Practice in treating cases of malaria is most often based on the concept of combination therapy (e.g., using agents such as artemether and lumefantrine against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum infection, since this offers advantages including reduced risk of treatment failure, reduced risk of developed resistance, as well as the possibility of reduced side-effects. Prompt parasitological confirmation by microscopy, or alternatively by rapid diagnostic tests, is recommended in all patients suspected of malaria before treatment is started. Treatment solely on the basis of clinical suspicion is considered when a parasitological diagnosis is not possible.
Pure methanol is an important material in chemical synthesis. Its derivatives are used in great quantities for building up a vast number of compounds, among them many important synthetic dyestuffs, resins, pharmaceuticals, and perfumes. Large quantities are converted to dimethylaniline for dyestuffs and to formaldehyde for synthetic resins. It is also used in automotive antifreezes, in rocket fuels, and as a general solvent. Methanol is also a high-octane, clean-burning fuel that is a potentially important substitute for gasoline in automotive vehicles. The methanol derived from wood is used chiefly for rendering industrial ethyl alcohol unfit to drink (Britannica, 2021).
Methanol is a colourless liquid that boils at 64.96 °C (148.93 °F) and solidifies at −93.9 °C (−137 °F). It forms explosive mixtures with air and burns with a nonluminous flame. It is completely miscible in water. Methanol has an odour that is similar to ethyl alcohol, the intoxicant of alcoholic beverages, but is a dangerous poison; many cases of blindness or death have been caused by drinking mixtures containing it (Britannica, 2021).
Practice in treating cases of malaria is most often based on the concept of combination therapy (e.g., using agents such as artemether and lumefantrine against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum infection, since this offers advantages including reduced risk of treatment failure, reduced risk of developed resistance, as well as the possibility of reduced side-effects. Prompt parasitological confirmation by microscopy, or alternatively by rapid diagnostic tests, is recommended in all patients suspected of malaria before treatment is started. Treatment solely on the basis of clinical suspicion is considered when a parasitological diagnosis is not possible.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the In Vitro Antimalarial Activities of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the problems of the In Vitro Antimalarial Activities of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract research work, which are:
- A lot of people lacks information about the chemistry of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract
- Lack of appropriate information of the nutritional value of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract
- Lack of knowledge of the Pathogenic Bacteria in Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract.
- Lack of information about the Antimalarial Activity of organic extracts from leaves and roots of Sebastiana Trigina.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the In Vitro Antimalarial Activities of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the extraction process of Plant Material and Fractionation of Plant Extract
- To determine the in-vivo Antiplasmodial of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract
- To assess the effects of Sebastiana Trigina Leaf Fractions on Serum Liver Function
1.5 Significance of Study
This study when completed, it will help provide adequate information about most the vitro Antimalarial Activities of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract. This project will be beneficial to individuals such as;
- Subsequent researchers,
- Lab Scientist, and
By providing accurate and complete information about each Antimalarial Activities of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract, it will also serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the In Vitro Antimalarial Activities of Sebastiana Trigina Methanol Leave Extract.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Antimalarial: This is a type of antiparasitic chemical agent, often naturally derived, that can be used to treat or to prevent malaria, in the latter case, most often aiming at two susceptible target groups, young children and pregnant women.
Plant: a living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses, typically growing in a permanent site, absorbing water and inorganic substances through its roots, and synthesizing nutrients in its leaves by photosynthesis using the green pigment chlorophyll.
Bacteria: Bacteria are single-cell organisms that are neither plants nor animals.
Knowledge: facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
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