Invivo antitrypanosomal activity of methanolic stem extract of strophanthus sarmentosus dc on wistar white mice infected with trypanosomal brucei brucei spp (federe strain).

Abstract

Strophanthus sarmentosus dc plant seeds are known to be mixed with other plants and boiled to produce poison arrow for hunters, it has also been implicated as a medicinal plant for treatment of gonorrhea and Leprosy in Senegal. Acute toxicity and minimum parasites inhibitions using four (4) microorganism (proteus, e.coli, staphylococcus aureus spp & enterobacter spp)  of the methanolic leaf extract was evaluated in mice using Lorke’s & serial dilution methods respectively. The methanolic leaf extract was evaluated for in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity against federa strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei in albino mice. Four days suppressive, curative effect against established infection and prophylactic models of anti-trypanosomal studies were carried out. The median lethal dose of the extract was determined to be ? 10mg ? kg body weight. The extract (2.5, 5, 10mg / kg) exerted some dose dependent suppressive effects at the different levels of infections tested, with no significant curative effects recorded. However, further antitrypanosomal property needs to be explored for the management of trypanosomiasis.