Main Article Content

Effects of Sterculia tomentosa stem bark extract on haematological parameters and Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats


A A Kaikabo

Abstract



Evaluation of antitrypanosomal efficacy of stem bark water extract of Sterculia tomentosa using rats as a model revealed significant suppressive effect on parasitaemia with extended survival time in group D rats treated with extract subcutaneously. The extract did not affect packed cell volume of treated rats. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in packed cell volume (PCV) in groups A, B and C rats on days 3, 6 and 9. Except for group D rats which maintained PCV close to control group from days 3 to 9 post-infection (pi). In group D the PCV continued to decline from 38±0.84% to minimum value of 30.0±0.11% on day 24 pi. Rats in group B and C all died of severe trypanosome infection on days 9 and 11 pi respectively. The maximum survival time reached was 18.2±2.74 days and the minimum was 6.0±10.0 days in rats treated subcutaneously and in rat that did not receive treatment at all. The results also showed that the route of extract administration played an important role on the efficacy of extract used, as evidenced by profound effects observed in rats treated with subcutaneous injection. While further toxicological studies are progressing, supportive treatment with the extract in areas of scarce conventional trypanocide is encouraged for now.

Keywords: Sterculia tomentosa, bark extract, haematological parameters, Trypanosoma brucei, rats.

Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 3 (1) 2006: pp. 56-61

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 0189-8442