Therapeutic Effects of Annona senegalensis Pers Stem Bark Extracts in Experimental African Trypanosomiasis

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the stem bark extracts in the treatment of model Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in mice. Methods: Powdered stem bark of A. senegalensis was sequentially extracted under reflux in hexane, methanol and water and the extracts were investigated for their efficacies in the treatment of albino mice infected with T.b brucei. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid infectivity (CSF) tests were done to confirm cure of infection. Results: Hexane extract, at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight and aqueous extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight, cured the experimental infection in mice. Blood and CSF infectivity tests confirmed cure of infected animals. Conclusion: The two different extracts of the same plant being efficacious brings hope that appropriate combinations of preparations from these extracts or preparations thereof may help in overcoming the problem of resistance, a major limitation of current chemotherapy, since the different extracts may be acting by different mechanisms.

Keywords: Trypanosoma, anti-trypanosome, chemotherapy, trypanocidal, sleeping sickness