In VitroEffect of Aqueous Extract and Fraction IV Portion ofXimenia americanaStem Bark onTrypanosoma congolenseDNA

Abstract

Trypanosomosis is a debilitating disease affecting mainly livestock and humans in tropical Africa. Chemically synthesized drugs and medicinal plants have been used in the treatment and control of this disease. In this study, the in vitro effect of aqueous extracts and fraction IV extract of Ximenia americana stem bark on Trypanosoma congolense DNA was investigated. The extracts were incubated with the parasites in vitro at 300 mg/mL aqueous extract and 25 mg/mL fraction IV portion for 30, 60, and 120 mins. The DNA of the trypanosomes was isolated and digested using ECOR1 enzyme and subsequently PCR was carried out. Results showed that aqueous extract and fraction IV portion immobilized 55% and 90% of the trypanosomes after 30-minute incubation. Subsequent isolation of the parasite DNA and agarose gel electrophoresis did not reveal that cell death was as a result of DNA fragmentation. This suggests that cell death was by another mechanism of action.

Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Composition of <i>Ximenia americana</i> Fruit

“…X. americana is a plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria, leproutic ulcers and infectious diseases of mixed origin by natives in Ethiopia, Guinea, Sudan and in the Northern part of Nigeria [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…They have up to 60% oil content. Seedling morphology is variable, when young the leaves are densely hairy, but become smooth and shiny with growth [4][5].…”

“…The leaves of the plant are used for treatment of headaches and also as a poison antidote. The roots are used for the treatment of skin problems, headaches, leprosy, haemorrhoids, sexually transmitted diseases, guinea worm, sleeping sickness, oedema, and act as an antidote to poison [5]. The fruit is useful in treating habitual constipation.…”

Anti-Trypanosomal Activity of Nigerian Plants and Their Constituents

“…GC-MS analysis of E. camaldulensis fraction yielded 9-octadecenamide ( 27 ), 1-nonadecene ( 28 ), ( Z )-9-eicosene ( 29 ), hexadecanol ( 30 ), 1-pentadecanol ( 31 ) for fraction A; and methyl hexadecanoate ( 32 ), methyl cis -9-octadecenoate ( 33 ), and 1-heptadecanol ( 34 ) for fraction B [121,122]. Aqueous extract Lophira lanceolata (Ochnaceae) Leaf and ethanol extract of Gardenia erubescens (Rubiaceae) stem had 100% activity in vitro against T. b. brucei and T. congolense at 20 mg/mL [92,123]. Peter et al showed that 1000 µg/mL methanol extract of Picrorhiza kurroa (Plantaginaceae) rhizome completely killed T. evansi in vitro after an incubation time of 8 h [124].…”

“…Aqueous extract of X. americana stem bark exhibited in vitro trypanocidal effect by immobilizing 90% of the T . congolense after 30 min incubation [123]. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Rutaceae) showed only trypanostatic effects and could not completely clear the T. b. brucei in vivo in infected mice [70].…”