Abstract
Context: 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.Materials and methods: Mice (25–32 g) were divided into seven groups of six animals. Mice in groups A–F received 2.5 × 104 trypanosomes, 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 ED50 was 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.Conclusion: Pleurotus sajor-caju therefore could be a potential source of new trypanocidal drugs.
Highlights
African trypanosomes are protozoan pathogens, causing human sleeping sickness and nagana, a related disease in cattle
Context: Control of African trypanosomiasis relies on chemotherapy, but the development of resistance and the problem of drug residues require research for alternatives
The preliminary acute toxicity test conducted revealed that there was no sign of toxicity or mortality in any of the treated groups of mice including those that received 400 mg/kg body weight which is more than the highest dose of Pleurotus sajor-caju aqueous extract use for the study
Summary
African trypanosomes are protozoan pathogens, causing human sleeping sickness and nagana, a related disease in cattle. The major pathogenic tsetse-transmitted trypanosome species are Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma brucei in cattle, sheep and goats, Trypanosoma simiae in pigs and Trypanosoma brucei in dogs. Within this region, $46–62 million of cattle and other livestock species are at risk of the disease (Swallow 2000). Trypanosomiasis is an important constraint to livestock development in sub-Saharan Africa. The causative agents of the Human African trypanosomiasis are Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. The economic losses attributed to African animal trypanosomiasis are due to decreased meat and milk production as a result of infertility, morbidity and mortality
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