Trypanocidal function of Terminalia catappa leaf extract in Albino rat

On Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected albino rats, the trypanocidal activity of the ethanolic extract of Terminalia catappa leaf (EETL) was evaluated. Thirty-six rats were allocated into six groups: Group 1 (control); Group 2: infected; Group 3: infected and treated with 10 mg kg-1 body weight diminazene aceturate; Group 4: infected and treated with 500 mg kg-1 body weight EETL; Group 5: infected and treated with 1,000 mg kg-1 body weight EETL; Group 6: infected and treated with 1,500 mg kg-1 body weight EETL. The highest parasitaemia level (P <0.05) was recorded in group 2, compared to the rest groups. The total/complete chemosuppression recorded in the group 3 was (P <0.05) higher than the rest groups. The percentage chemo-suppression improves (P <0.05) with an increased EETL dosage from 500 mg kg-1 1,500 mg kg-1. The haematological and serum biochemical parameters were determined using Abacus 380 and a Reflectron® Plus BC79 analyzer, respectively. Post-infection, the rats‘ packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration in group 2 and group 4 were (P <0.05) lower than group 1 and other groups. On day five postinfection, the rats‘ red blood cell counts in groups 2 and 4 were lower (P <0.05) than in other groups. On day 15 post-infection, the white blood cell counts of rats in groups 2 and 4 were lower (P <0.05) than in group 1, 3 and 6. Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels in groups 2 and 4 were (P <0.05) higher than the control and other treatment groups. This study demonstrated 1,500 mg kg-1 EETL bodyweight efficacy in reducing the parasitemia level in T. brucei brucei infected rats