In vitro trypanocidal effect of methanolic extract of some Nigerian savannah plants

Abstract

Methanol extracts from twenty three plants harvested from the Savannah vegetation belt of Nigeria 
were analyzed in vitro for trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma 
congolense at concentrations of 4 mg/ml, 0.4 mg/ml and 0.04 mg/ml. Extracts of Khaya senegalensis, 
Piliostigma reticulatum, Securidaca longepedunculata and Terminalia avicennoides were strongly 
trypanocidal to both organisms while extracts of Anchomanes difformis, Cassytha spp, Lannea 
kerstingii, Parkia clappertioniana, Striga spp, Adansonia digitata and Prosopis africana were 
trypanocidal to either T. brucei brucei or T. congolense. These findings provide evidence of the effects 
of some plants in the traditional management of trypanosomiasis.