Antitrypanosomal activity of hydromethanol extract of leaves of Cymbopogon citratus and seeds of Lepidium sativum: in-vivo mice model

Abstract

Background Trypanosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases of both humans and animals which decreases their productivity and causes death in the worst scenario. Unavailability of vaccines, the low therapeutic index of trypanocidal drugs, and the development of resistance lead to the need for research focused on developing alternative treatment options especially from medicinal plants. The present study was aimed to investigate antitrypanosomal activities of leaves of Cymbopogon citratus and seeds of Lepidium sativum in in-vivo mice model. Methods The plant extracts were prepared by maceration using 80% methanol and reconstituted with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to have the desired concentration. The test doses were adjusted to 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg based on the toxicity profile. The plants extracts were administered to the respective groups of mice after the 12th day of field isolate T. congolense inoculation for seven consecutive days. The level of parasitemia, bodyweight, packed cell volume (PCV), and differential white blood cell counts were measured. Results The in -vivo test results revealed that both plant extracts had dose-dependent antitrypanosomal activity. Both crude extracts showed a significant reduction in parasite load (P < 0.05), increased or prevent the fall of PCV value (P < 0.05), decreased lymphocytosis and increased neutrophil counts (p < 0.05) and improved bodyweight but significant bodyweight increment (P < 0.05) was observed only in C. citratus treated mice compared to the negative and positive controls. Conclusion The present study concluded that the crude extracts of leaves of C. citratus and seeds of L. sativum had antitrypanosomal effects. Both plants extracts reduced parasitemia level, prevented anemia and improved bodyweight of treated mice. Comparative results from all tested parameters showed that the best activities were observed with C. citratus treated groups of mice.

Ethnoveterinary survey of trypanocidal medicinal plants of the beninese pharmacopoeia in the management of bovine trypanosomosis in North Benin (West Africa)

“…In addition to these plants, several natural plants have been reported by other authors to have trypanocidal effects on livestock [ 59 ]. This is the case for extracts of the leaves of Albizia gummifera [ 60 ] hydromethanolic extracts of Cymbopogon citratus leaves and Lepidium sativum seeds [ 61 ] ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Terminalia catappa leaves [ 62 ] extracts of Khaya senegalensis [ 63 ] essential oils of four species of Cymbopogon [ 3 ]. These results reinforce those of Dzoyem et al [ 1 ] on ethnoveterinary medicine which plays an important role in the management of livestock diseases in African countries.…”

“…The rejection of ethnoveterinary practices and treatments by veterinary officials is a major obstacle to the development of these practices [ 5 , 85 ]. Most veterinarians and livestock technicians have a negative and resistant attitude towards traditional practices and knowledge, despite the scientific evidence of the effectiveness of some remedies [ 61 , 86 , 87 ].…”

Effect of Secnidazole on the Disposition Kinetics of Diminazene Aceturate in Healthy Dogs

“…This has chemotherapeutic implications in the treatment of animal trypanosomosis. Relapse parasitemia is due to sequestration of trypanosomes in sites like the brain where DA accumulation is below therapeutic levels 17,18 . Increased accumulation of DA in these sites may lead to the elimination of relapse parasitemia 13 .…”

Botanical Control of Parasites in Veterinary Medicine

“…EOs of Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Citrus sinensis were found to possess in vitro dose-dependent activity against Trypanosoma (T.) brucei brucei and T. evansi, whereby all oils decreased the number of parasites over time at doses of 0.4, 0.2 and 0.1 g/mL (Habila et al 2010). On the other hand, crude extract of Cymbopogon citratus leafs and Lepidium sativum seeds, administrated to mice at different doses ranged 100-400 mg/kG, significantly reduced the parasite load of T. congolense, but at the same time decreased lymphocytosis and increased neutrophil counts and, in the case of Cymbopogon citratus, significantly improved bodyweight of tested animals (Emiru et al 2021). In a study of Azeredo et al (2014), EOs of several plants were in vitro evaluated for inhibition activity against T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, whereby Cinnamomum verum was the most effective against epimastigote form of parasites (IC50/24h was 24.13 μg/mL).…”