In vitro and in vivo trypanocidal effect of lipophilic extracts of medicinal plants from Mali and Burkina Faso.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the in vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal activity of extracts of traditionally used plants.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

47 dichloromethane extracts were tested in vitro in the Long-term Viability Assay (LtVA) on Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The most active ones were also tested in vivo using a standardised mouse test.

RESULTS

13 extracts (28%) were active in vitro with MIC-values < or = 100 microg/ml, 6 extracts showed MIC-values < or = 50 microg/ml. The root extract of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae) and the leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel. (Combretaceae) were able to reduce parasitaemia in mice, experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei by 48 and 42% at the dose of 150 mg/kg b.w. intraperitoneally, two times daily for 3 days. The extract of Acacia nilotica Delile (Mimosaceae) stem bark showed immunosuppressive effect in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The results confirm an effect of the ethnobotanically used plants. Further investigation is needed to optimize the effectiveness of the extracts.