Trypanocidal potential of Carrisa edulis in male wistar rats infected with T. congolense.

Abstract

Trypanocidal activity of Carrisa edulis against Trypanosoma congolence infection in rats was investigated. All extracts of the different parts of the plant had in vitro trypanocidal activity against the parasite at different times of incubation. The methanolic root extract, being the most active in vitro was used for the in vivo analysis. Oral treatment at different doses did not clear the parasitemia. The groups treated with 100mg/kg/day and 200mg/kg/day of extract did not significantly decrease (P<0.05) the parasitemia neither was there any significant increase (P<0.05) in PCV when compared to the infected control. However, animals treated with 100mg/kg/day survived longer than those treated with 200mg/kg/day and the infected control group. The parasitemia of all the infected animals continue to increase with decrease in pack cell volume until the death of the animals. Further work is required to substantiate on the in vivo activity in order to conclude on the trypanocidal effectiveness of the plant.