Antitrypanosomal and haematological effects of selected Nigerian medicinal plants in Wistar rats

Abstract

Studies to determine the effect of some Nigerian Medicinal plants on some haematological parameters of rats infected with T. b. brucei was carried out. The plants investigated and the dose levels per kilogram body weights used are fresh Momordica balsamina pulp (150mg); fresh Aloe vera pulp (1ml); aqueous extracts of Securidaca longipenduculata root and root bark (100mg) and Annona senegalensis leaves (200mg). All the animals were treated orally for seven consecutive days after establishment of parasitaemia. Parasitaemia and some haematological parameters were determined before and after treatment as well as pathochemical composition of each plant. The result showed a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in Packed Cell Volume (PCV) values of rats treated with M. balsamina; A. vera and S. longipenduculata (root bark) when compared with the positive control. Total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts did not change significantly (P > 0.05) in groups treated with M. balsamina and S. longipenduculata (root bark) but increased in other treated and positive control groups. Similarly, no significant changes (P > 0.05) in neutrophils was observed in M. balsamina and S. longipenduculata (root) treated animals but an increase was seen in S. longipenduculata (root bark), A. vera and infected on treated groups. Treatment with M. balsamina, A. vera and S. longipenduculata (root and root bark) prolonged the lives of animals by 4, 1, 3 and 4 days respectively when compared with the positive control. Differences in the composition of various phytochemical of these plants could be responsible for the varied antitrypanosomal activities. Consequently, these plants have great potential which need to be exploited fully in the management of African trypanosomiasis.

Haematological Changes in Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infected Wistar Rats Treated with a Flavonoid Mixture and/or Diminazene Aceturate

“…The significant decrease in total leucocyte count observed in the infected untreated group was in agreement with the findings of Abubakar et al [34] in Trypanosoma brucei-infected rats. In contrast, Omer et al [32] and Adeyemi et al [35] recorded a significant increase in total leucocyte count.…”

Haematological changes in Trypanosoma evansi infected cattle

“…Leucopaenia in animal Trypanosomiasis has been reported to be due largely to ineffective or depressed granulopoiesis in the bone marrow [17]. The lower counts of WBC, lymphocytes observed in the infected group may be attributed to the immunosuppressive actions of Trypanosome infection [18,19]. Sulaiman and Adeyemi, reported lymphocytosis in their studies which may be due to generalized lymphoid tissue hyperplasia, characteristic of the acute phase of the disease, during which period, lymph nodes and spleen are remarkably reactive while in chronic infection, the immune system becomes depleted of lymphoid cells [20].…”

<i>In Vivo</i> Antitrypanosomal Effects Of Some Ethnomedicinal Plants From Nupeland Of North Central Nigeria

“…The stem bark of Z. zanthoxyloides is used in treating sickle cell anaemia and analgesic (Mann et al, 2003). Trypanostatic effect of the plant extracts were explained with corresponding increase in PCV which prolong the lifespan of treated animals by reducing the parasite load or neutralizing the toxic metabolites produced by trypanosomes (Abubakar et al, 2005). Based on these results and the fact that plant part extracts are traditionally used in the treatment of African Trypanosomiasis, we analyzed in greater detail the antitrypanosomal activity of the stem bark methanol extracts of the four plants.…”