In Vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of dichloromethane and methanol crude leaf extracts of Dovyalis abyssinica (Salicaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense.
BACKGROUND
African trypanosomiasis affects both humans and livestock in sub-Saharan countries including Ethiopia. Due to limitations to current chemotherapy, there is an urgent need for the development of new, safe, cheap and effective drugs. In the present study, the leaf of Dovyalis abyssinica was tested for its in vivo antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma congolense field isolate on mice.


METHODS
The leaf of D. abyssinica was macerated using dichloromethane and methanol. The extracts at doses of 250, 200, 150 and 100 mg/kg body weight were administered intraperitonealy daily for 7 days to mice infected with T. congolense. Following administration, parasitemia, packed cell volume, rectal temperature, body weight and survival time were monitored.


RESULTS
Administration of dichloromethane and methanol extracts at 250 and 200 mg/kg reduced (p<0.05) parasitemia and rectal temperature, and improved (p<0.05) PCV, mean body weight, and mean survival time compared to dimethylsulfoxide treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Crude dichloromethane and methanol leaf extracts of D. abyssinica displayed anti-trypanosomal activity that may serve as lead for the development of effective alternative antitrypanosomal drugs.
School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O.Box 269, Debremarkos, Ethiopia. hafaybelaya@gmail.com.
Belay
B
Tadesse
Department of Pathology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P.O.Box 34, Debrezeit, Ethiopia. getachew_terefe@yahoo.com.
Getachew
G
Terefe
Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. nigatukebede@yahoo.com.
Nigatu
N
Kebede
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. workineh.shibeshi@aau.edu.et.
Workineh
W
Shibeshi
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D031308:Salicaceae; D014348:Trypanosoma congolense / Q000187:drug effects*; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology
D010936:Plant Extracts