Insight to Antitrypanosomal and Anti-Anaemic Potency of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) Ethanol Extract on Trypanosoma congolense-Infected Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Trypanosomiasis often caused by trypanosome is common among wildlife and domestic animals. Aim and Objectives: This study assessed the antitrypanosomal and anti-anemic activities of bitter leaf ethanol extract (BLEE) against Trypanosoma congolense. Methodology: Forty (40) healthy wistar rats of both sexes weighing 120-150 g were used at the beginning of the experiment. They were randomly divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F). In A, B, D, E and F (n = 5) but group C was started with fifteen (15) rats till death reduced the population to five (5). Group A rats were uninfected and untreated; group B rats were uninfected but treated (500 mg/kgbwt BLEE); group C rats were infected but not treated; groups D, E and F rats were infected and treated (100, 300 and 500 mg/kgbwt BLEE, respectively). Infection of the rats was carried out by injecting 0.1 ml of blood containing approximately 1 × 103 trypanosomes intraperitoneally into each rat in the infected groups. The effects of BLEE on the infected rats were determined. Changes in haemoglobin level and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined prior, during and post infection. Results: The results obtained revealed that the percentage values for haemoglobin level and PCV of infected rats in this study were remarkably reduced compared with the uninfected rats. A marked association between the prevalence of Trypanosoma congolense, haemoglobin level and PCV was observed in this study. The extract immobilized the trypanosome in the treated groups as compared to the infected but untreated group. The BLEE was able to cause a remarkable reduction of parasitaemia level, improved haemoglobin level and PCV as compared to the infected-untreated rats. Conclusion: Our findings thus has given an indication of in vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal and anti-anemic activities of Vernonia amygdalina against Trypanosoma congolense.