Effect of ethanol root extract of Gardenia sokotensis on the level of parasitaemia in Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected rabbits

A study was conducted to determine the effect of the ethanol roots extract of Gardenia sokotensis in rabbits infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The animals were divided into five groups of 6 each. Group A was infected and treated with the extract of G. sokotensis; Group B infected and treated with Berenil®; Group C infected and untreated; Group D uninfected but treated with the extract; Group E was uninfected and untreated. The experimental animals were inoculated intraperitoneally with approximately 104 - 5 x 105 Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasites. Berenil® was administered once, intramuscularly, at the dose rate of 3.5 mg/kg body weight, while the extract of G. sokotensis was administered orally at the rate of 60mg/kg body weight daily for seven days. Administration was done at peak of parasitaemia (41 days post infection, p.i.). The animals were examined daily for parasitemia.