Effect of Hyptis Suaveolens Methanol Leaf Extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infected Mice

Abstract

The search for new antitrypanosomal drug lead owing to the setback associated with commonly used conventional drugs is highly recommended. In the present study, trypanostatic activity of the methanol leaf extract of H. suaveolens was investigated in mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T.b.b or T. brucei). A total of Twenty (20) mice were selected into 5 groups (A-E) of 4 mice each. Groups A to D were intra-peritoneally inoculated with 0.2 ml of blood containing approximately 106 cells/ml parasite. Group A, B and C mice were treated with 300 and 400mg/kgbw leaf extract of H. suavelens and 3.5mg/kgbw of diminazene aceturate (Berenil®) respectively for 9 days, while group D and E served as negative control and positive control respectively. The level of parasitaemia was monitored on a daily basis. Also, effect of the extract on haematological parameters was investigated. The result revealed a dose dependent decrease in parasite in mice treated with leaf extract of H. suaveolens compared with untreated mice. The infected untreated mice also shows signifnicant decrease in PCV, HB and RBC and increase the WBC when compared with the control mice. However, administration of methanol leaf extract of H. suaveolens at dose of 300 and 400mg/kgbw increase the level of PCV, HB and RBC and decrease the WBC in a dose dependent fashion when compared with infected untreated mice. It is concluded that H. suavelens inhibited T.brucei parasite and ameliorated the parasites induced anemia in mice. Therefore, could be useful for management of Africa trypanosomiasis