Dergi makalesi Açık Erişim

Studies of the antitrypanosomal and toxicological properties of Anogeissus leiocarpus (Dc.) Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae) and Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn (Sapotaceae) in mice

2015    Awokunlehin, Akintunde; Elusiyan, Christianah A.; Bejide, Ronald A.; Obuotor, Efere M.; Adewunmi, Clement O.

African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) is a disease of concern with ravaging effects on the health of both animals and livestock in tropical Africa. This study investigates the anti-trypanosomal activities of Anogeissus leiocarpus (ALE) and Vitelleria paradoxa (VPE) stem bark extracts and also determines the toxicological profile of the active plant, with a view to establishing the anti-trypanosomal potential and safety of the plants. Laboratory mice (19 g - 26 g) and rats (140 g - 165 g) obtained from the Animal house, Faculty of Pharmacy, OAU, Ile-Ife were used for the study. The animals were treated according to the standard set criteria for animal use and care. VPE showed neither trypanocidal nor trypanostatic activities while ALE was found to be trypanostatic at 62.5 and 125 mg/kg body weight. However, the partitioned aqueous fraction of ALE was found to demonstrate comparable anti-trypanocidal effect as Diminal (standard agent). In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of A. leiocarpus possesses antitrypanosomal effect through the relative suppression or delay in parasite establishment in trypanosome-infected mice. The toxicological study of A. leiocarpus stem bark extract revealed that it is relatively safe for use in cattle and other grazing animals.