Abstract:
Medicinal plants have long been used for the treatment of many diseases. Recently,
several experimental studies have contributed scientific evidence for the pharmacological
effects of these medicinal plants observed in folk medicine. The present work was
performed to look at the medicinal effects of the aqueous extract of common mallow
(Malva sylvestris) upon blood lipid profile, inflammation, glycemia, ulcer prevention and
microbial growth. After a month period of administration of extract via drinking water
(95, 380, and 950 mg/kg body weight), only triglyceride content was increased
significantly in serum samples. No significant changes were witnessed in any other lipid
parameter studied. No changes in serum glucose and insulin levels were recognized in the
animals receiving the aqueous extract over the period of study. The extract appeared not
to have a negative impact on the hepatocyte integrity assessed through the measurement
of transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. In addition, an increase and decrease in stool triglyceride and cholesterol content were observed
respectively. A 9.5% increase in stool water content was observed at the highest dose.
The aqueous extract showed an anti-ulcer activity that was comparable with that of the
reference drug (Cimetidine).The aqueous extract revealed an anti-inflammatory activity
in the acute and chronic inflammation models induced by carageenan and formalin
respectively. This activity was optimum at the 100 mg/kg body weight dose in both
models of inflammation. In addition, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the dried
plant material were tested for any antimicrobial activity against 11 gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains; the methanolic extract was further tested against the yeast
Candida albicans. None of the extracts exhibited inhibition zones in the Kirby-Bauer
method at the tested concentrations.
The present study shows that Malva sylvestris has no major impact on blood lipid profile
and bacterial growth. Yet, a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity is
demonstrated. Further studies on the fractionated extract mode of action, and clinical
assessment remain to be explored.
