Abstract

The present study investigates the trypanocidal activity of Tapinanthus globiferus and Gongronema latifolium on Trypanosoma brucei brucei In vitro and In vivo. Various extracts obtained from these plants, were compared for trypanocidal activity In vitro and In vivo at different concentration. The methanolic extract of Tapinanthus globiferus and Gongrenema latifolium had the highest activity In vitro and were further evaluated for in vivo activity on mice infected with Trpanosoma brucei brucei. The groups were treated with extract concentration ranging from 100-400mg/kg of body weight intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days. The group treated with 400mg/kg of Tapinanthus globiferus had significant reduction in parasiteamia and their life span was prolonged up to the 20-21st day, in comparison to those treated with the same dose of Gongrenema latifolium and all other groups treated with other doses, including the control, all died between day 5th-8th post infection. The group treated with extract of Tapinanthus globiferus and inoculated with parasite simultaneously did not develop parasite until the 9th day with low level of parasiteamia, with appreciable life span ranging between 15-16 days post infection. The Phytochemical screening showed appreciable amount of alkaloids and flavonoids in the extract of Tapinanthus globiferus compared to that found in Gongrenema latifolium which were only in traces.

Keywords:

Gongrenema latifolium, In vivo and In vitro, phytochemical screening, Tapinanthus globiferus, trypanosomal activity, Trypanosoma brucei brucei,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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The authors have no competing interests.