In vitro and in vivo Anti Trypanosomal Activity of the Leaf of Lawsonia inermis Against Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infection in Mice

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the in vitro and in vivo activities of Lawsonia inermis leaf extract against Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in mice. 30 mice, weighing 25-30 g were grouped into 6, with 5 mice each. Group 1 was the normal control while group 2 was the infected control. Groups 3-6 were infected then treated with varying concentrations of the leaf extract. These were 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day for groups 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Group 6 was given 200 mg/kg/day, plus 50% glycerol as adjuvant. The crude methanolic extract had an in vitro activity against T. brucei at a concentration of 8.3 mg/ml of blood. The treatment ameliorated the disease condition but did not affect the level of parasitaemia and packed cell volume. Addition of glycerol as adjuvant did not show any significant effect.