Abstract

J.T. Ekanem, *O.M. Kolawole, O.C. Abbah

An in vivo study of the trypanocidal potential of Bridelia ferruginea benth bark was investigated to determine its possible use against African sleeping sickness. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids and phlobatanins. Four groups of male albino rats weighing 220-250 g were used. The groups included the control, infected -untreated, uninfected-treated, and infected-treated. A daily dose of 20 mg/Kg body weight methanolic extract of B. ferruginea benth bark was administered intraperitoneally at 72 h post-infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and parasitaemia was monitored daily. A continuous rise in parasite count was observed in the infected-untreated group. The infected-treated group showed a progressively lowered parasitamia on Days 5 to 8 post-infection, with percentage parasite reduction between 11 and 76%. Treatment also extended the lifespan for 2 days. Results also showed that treatment significantly ameliorated heamatological parameters that were studied. We suggest that methanolic extract of B. ferruginea benth bark can be useful in the management of African sleeping sickness.