Use of extracts of Picralima nitida bark in the treatment of experimental trypanosomiasis: a preliminary study.

The effect of a boiling water extract of Picralima nitida bark against trypanosomes (T. brucei) in rats was compared with that of diminazene aceturate at 8 mg/kg i.p. Results showed that the extract had a definite trypanocidal effect which was statistically comparable to that of diminazene aceturate. Further work is needed to identify the active pharmacological agent and to standardise the usage of the agent in practice.