Abstract

Current drugs used in the management of African Trypanosomiasis are toxic and can encounter parasite resistance, hence the need for urgent, less toxic and readily available alternative source of trypanocide. The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of the stem bark of Faidherbia albida in albino rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei strain Lafia/CT/66/NITR was evaluated. The oral acute toxicity of the extract was determined in rats. Parasitaemia was determined and estimated daily while the packed cell volume (PCV), Total protein, albumin, globulin and free fatty acid were determined at days 5 and 10 post treatment. The results showed that the oral median lethal dose (LD₅₀) was greater than 5000 mg extract/ Kg body weight. There was prolongation of life in the treated groups when compared to the negative control. The administration of the extract led to a highly significant (P<0.01) increase in Total protein, albumin, and packed cell volume levels while the globulin and free fatty acid levels decreased significantly (P<0.01). It is suggested that the hydro-alcoholic extract of F. albida is trypanostatic and effective in the management of anaemia induced by Trypanosoma brucei brucei in rats.

Key words: Trypanosome brucei brucei, Faidherbia albida, PCV, free fatty acid.