Effect of Crude Methanol Extract of Senna occidentalis on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress of wistar Rats with Experimental Trypanosoma congolense Infection

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of crude methanol leaves extract of Senna occidentalis on biomarkers of oxidative stress of wistar rats with experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection. The phytochemical screening test was conducted on the extract using standard procedure. Acute toxicity study was carried out and the LD50 was found to be ≥ 5000 mg/kg. Thirty wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. Rats in group one were untreated uninfected (neutral control). Groups two to six received intraperitoneal injection of Trypanosoma congolense (106 trypanosomes/ml of blood). Parasitaemia was established 8 days post infection. Rats in groups two, three, and four were orally treated with 100, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for ten days. Rats in group five were treated with diminazene aceturates (3.5 mg/kg, i.p) once. Rats in group six were treated with normal saline for ten days. At doses 100, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight the extract showed significant (P