Anti-trypanosomal activities of polyherbal formulation of Lawsonia inermis and Azadiractha indica when combined with diminazene aceturate

Abstract

Trypanosomosis is a disease complex affecting both human and animals. Chemotherapeutic approach to trypanosomosis is no longer befitting due to side effects associated with drugs and development of many resistant trypanosome worldwide. This study evaluated the polyherbal trypanocidal activities of Azadiractha indica and Lawsonia inermis when combined with diaminazene aceturate. Forty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups. Groups: 1 (control), 2 (infected untreated), 3 (Diminazene), 4 (Lawsonia inermis (LI)), 5 (Azadiractha indica (AI)), 6 (LI+AI), 7 (LI+DA), 8 (LI+AI) and 9 (DA+LI+AI). All rats in groups (2-9) were infected with 3x106 of Trypanosoma brucei per ml of blood. Result showed that both methanolic extract of Azadiractha indica and Lawsonia inermis contains important phytochemicals. Increased weight was observed in rats dosed with L. inermis+diminazene combination (6.3%) while A. indica treated rats presented significant (P0.05) in most treatment groups compared to untreated control. This study concluded that both extracts reduced the level of parasitaemia in a transient phase and drug-extract combination cleared the parasitaemia within shortest time.