title: Novel trypanocide from an extract of Pleurotus sajor-caju against Trypanosoma congolense.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Control of African trypanosomiasis relies on chemotherapy, but the development of resistance and the problem of drug residues require research for alternatives. Triterpenes and phenolics, the major constituents of Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer (Pleurotaceae), are reported to be effective against trypanosomiasis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Trypanocidal effect of whole Pleurotus sajor-caju aqueous extract was investigated in vivo against Trypanosoma congolense.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice (25-32 g) were divided into seven groups of six animals. Mice in groups A-F received 2.5 × 104trypanosomes, while group G was uninfected. Extracts (100-250 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally for 5 days to groups A-D while diminazine aceturate (group E) and normal saline (group F) served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Parasitemia, survival time, body weight and haematological parameters were monitored for 60 days post-treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parasitemia decreased significantly (p < 0.01) post-treatment with 200 and 250 mg/kg of the extract and became undetectable by day 16 and 12 post-infection, respectively; the ED50was 221.5 mg/kg. The packed cell volume (PCV) and the weight of mice treated with 250 mg/kg extract were 46.20 ± 2.6% and 32.05 ± 3.63 g, respectively, which is higher than the group treated with diminazine aceturate. The mean survival time of animals in groups D and E was >60 days, while that of group F was <4 days. Differential leucocyte count on day 68 post-infection in groups C, D and E were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pleurotus sajor-caju therefore could be a potential source of new trypanocidal drugs.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Oyo , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Isaiah O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ademola
authors.affiliation: a Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Oyo , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Paul O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Odeniran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004133:Diminazene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D020076:Pleurotus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014348:Trypanosoma congolense / Q000187:drug effects*; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; C003915:diminazene aceturate; D004133:Diminazene
keywords: African trypanosomiasis; alternative medicine; mushroom