Effect of the ethanol extract of Waltheria indica on parasitaemia and glucose level of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of Waltheria indica on parasitaemia as well as glucose level of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats. The results showed that the ethanol extract of Waltheria indica dose and time dependently inhibited parasitaemia and extended the life span of the treated rats from 8.5 days of the infected untreated (control) rats to 30.3 days for the infected treated rats. The results also showed the plant extract to significantly improve the weight status of the treated animals beyond those of the untreated which continued to lose weight and died earlier. Treatment with the plant extract also significantly and dose dependently improved the hypoglycaemic state of the infected animals. It was concluded that plant was able to improve the hypoglycaemic state and weight status of the infected rats by controlling parasite proliferation, making it a possible agent for managing African sleeping sickness. Further studies will be carried out to determine safety, haematological and biochemical effects of the plant.

 Keywords: parasitaemia, inhibition, glucose, weight, trypanosomosis

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [1] March 2011, pp.79-85