Studies on the In Vitro Trypanocidal Effect of the Extracts of Some Selected Medicinal Plants in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The in vitro trypanocidal activity of aqueous extracts of some selected medicinal plants used by local herdsmen in the treatment of various animal diseases in Sokoto State, Nigeria was conducted. Trypanosoma brucei brucei were cultured using 96 well micro titer plate and maintained at 37 0 C. About 20-25 parasites per microscope field were dosed with 1, 2 and 4mg/ml of aqueous extracts of the plants and a control group without extracts. After 5 minutes incubation in Eppendorf tubes maintained at 37 0 C, the parasites survived more than four (4) hours in the absence of extract/Berenil. At 4mg/ml of the extracts 0f Terminalia catappa, Waltheria indica, Cucurbita pepo, Entada abyssinica and Ximenia Americana, complete cessation of motility of T. brucei brucei within 60 minutes was observed. However, at 2mg/ml of Waltheria indica, trypanosome motility after 20 minutes was stopped but Terminalia catappa, and Ximenia americana were found to reduce trypanosome motility at 35 and 55 minutes respectively. Only Waltheria indica reduced trypanosome motility within 25 minutes at 1mg/ml concentration. Berenil, the standard drug, caused cessation of trypanosomal motility within 60 minutes even at 1mg/ml. From the results Waltheria indica was the most effective among the extracts when compared with Berenil, and may be a potential source of compounds with trypanocidal activity.

Prevalence of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Potential In Vitro Trypanocidal Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Some Medicinal Plants in the Pastoral Area of Gaongho in Burkina Faso

“…Compared to these active extracts, those of Mitragyna inermis and B. aegyptiaca leaves showed a weak trypanocidal effect only at the concentration of 100 mg/ml on T. b. brucei. Conversely, extracts from V. paradoxa leaves and Capparis sepiaria roots showed no trypanocidal effect as Cissus quadrangularis on T. b. brucei in Nigeria in the study of Bala et al (2009). Our results are consistent with Atawodi et al (2003), Hoet et al (2004) and Mann et al (2009) who reported the in vitro trypanocidal activity of some medicinal plants on trypanosomes in their studies.…”

Antibacterial activity of Waltheria indica Linn (Sterculiaceae), collected from Blouberg area, Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Moreover, it may produce plasmidmediated AmpC β-lactamases (PABLs) which may be difficult to detect and might interfere with infection control processes (Lee et al, 2009). Elsewhere, aqueous extract was reported to possess trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Bala et al, 2009).…”

Antitrypanosomal Quinoline Alkaloids from the Roots of Waltheria indica

“…Many ailments such as skin ulcers, rheumatism, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, asthma, or tooth infections are treated with this plant . In Burkina Faso, the roots and aerials parts are used against malaria, and in Niger and Nigeria, traditional healers give the whole plant to cattle as a tonic, suggesting a possible activity against “Nagana” …”