EVALUATION OF IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ACTIVITIES OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS EXTRACTS AGAINST TRYPANOSOMIASIS.

This study aimed to assess the antitrypanosomal activity of leaf ethanolic extracts against Trypanosoma evansiexperimental infection. Seven medicinal plants: Camellia sinensis, Thymus vulgaris, Menthalongifolia, Azadirachta indica, Oleaeuropoea, Rosmarinus officinalis and Saliva officinalis, were selected based on information from traditional healers on their curative effect against parasites. They were investigated for phytochemical screening and antitrypanosomal properties. Results revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols. The in vitro antitrypanosomal activity in microtiter plates showed that all of them had pronouncedtrypanocidal effects and inhibited the growth of T. evansi that was observed either disappeared, dissected or non-motile within 10-60 min. of incubation except for O. europoea and R. officinalis which could not clear the parasites completely. Therefore, only five plants were evaluated for their in vitro extracts administration and in vivo against T. evansiexperimental infection. Haematological analysis of the infected and treated rats revealed a marked decline in hemoglobin, hematocrit, total red blood corpuscles, and anaemia persisted until the end of the experimental period. Whereas, the biochemical assay showed increased serum levels of urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and decreased albumin, globulin, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerol and glucose in some treated groups. We concluded that S. officinalis followed by C. sinensis possess high antitrypanosomal activity compared to diminazene aceturate, and could be useful in the management of trypanosomiasis. Further study needed to claim and illuminate the phytochemical compounds responsible for this antitrypanosomal activity.