PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND IN VITRO TRYPANOCIDAL EFFICACY OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SEMI-ARID NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

¹Biu, A.A., ²Buratai, L.B., ²Amarachi, I.C., ¹Kyari, F., ¹Mohammed, A.,³Adawaren, E.O.,

⁴Fasuyi, F.H., ⁵Jegede, O.C.and ⁵Ejiofor C.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

³Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁴National Biotechnology Development Agency, Bioresources Development Centre, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Veterinary Parasitology & Entomology, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

E-mail: biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Qualitative phytochemical and In vitro trypanocidal studies of aqueous extracts of the leaves of Calotropis procera, Cassia sieberiana and Azadirachta indica were conducted using standard procedures. Bioactive compounds of saponins terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, pentoses, ketones, reducing sugars, and general carbohydrates were found in these plants. In vitro trypanocidal efficacy of graded concentrations of plant extracts in this study indicated a 100% Trypanosoma brucei mortality at 2.5mg/ml under one-hour incubation period. Thus, the parasite count was inversely proportional to the percentage inhibition as the extract concentration increases. Notably at lower extract concentrations of 0.875mg/ml, Cassia sieberiana was more effective with 94.6% mortality recorded compared with C. procera and A. indica  that had 71.8% and 66.7% respectively (p<0.05). In conclusion, these extracts possess phytoactive properties and have trypanocidal activity on T. brucei In vitro.