Antimalarial and Antioxidant Effects of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) Fruit Fraction in Plasmodium berghei–Infected Pregnant Mice

Abstract

Malaria in pregnancy constitutes a principal factor in the enduring prevalence of significant maternal and foetal illness and fatality. This study investigated the potential of Syzygium cumini  (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) fruit fraction in modulating TNF-α, preserving placental spiral artery integrity, and improving foetal outcomes in Plasmodium berghei-infected pregnant mice. A true experimental design was conducted using second-trimester pregnant mice (n = 5 per group), which were infected with the P. berghei ANKA strain. Each mouse was administered an intraperitoneal dose of 0.2 mL phosphate-buffered saline comprising roughly 1 × 10⁶ parasitized red blood cells obtained from donor mice with 20–30% parasitaemia. The animals were categorized into six groups: normal control (K1), infected untreated (K2), drug control treated with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (5 mg/kg body weight, oral), and three treatment groups receiving Syzygium cumini fruit (SCF) fraction at doses of 600 mg/kg (P1), 800 mg/kg (P2), and 1200 mg/kg (P3). Placental TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared with the infected control (K2), with the greatest reduction observed at 1200 mg/kg (P3, p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed that P2 and P3 significantly improved spiral artery diameter and wall thickness, while P1 produced moderate changes. Foetal body length increased significantly in all treatment groups (p < 0.05), and foetal weight in P3 approached the normal control (K1). The (SCF) fraction demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties and improved placental function and supported foetal growth. These findings demonstrate its potential as a complementary natural therapeutic agent for managing malaria-associated complications during pregnancy.