Therapeutic Effects of Zanthoxylum Alatum Leaves and Eugenia Caryophyllata buds (Fruits) Against Trypanosoma Evansi

Zanthoxylum alatum leaves and Eugenia caryophyllata bud (fruits) were extracted with methanolic solvent at concentrations (250-1000 µg ml-1). The methanolic plant extracts (MPES) obtained was tested against Trypanosoma evansi for trypanocidal activity. This was carried out on Vero cells grown in Dulbeccoʹs Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and supplemented with faetal calf serum (FCS) 20-40% at appropriate conditions. In vitro cytotoxicity test of Z. alatum leaves and E. caryophyllata buds (fruits) extracts at concentrations (1.56-100 µg ml-1) was done on Vero cells but without FCS. In vitro trypanocidal activity varied from immobilization, reduction and to the killing of trypanosomes in corresponding ELISA plate wells. At 250 µg ml-1of MPES, there was reduction of average mean trypanosomes count in both extracts as observed. At 750 and 1000 µg ml-1 of the test extracts of Z. alatum and E. caryophyllata, there was complete killing of trypanosomes at 8 h and 9 h of incubation, respectively. Trypanosomes counts decreased in concentration and time –dependent manner with significant difference (P < 0.05). MPES of Z. alatum, E. caryophyllata and diminazine aceturate, standard drug, were cytotoxic to Vero cells except at concentrations of 1.56, 1.56 and 1.56-6. 25 µg ml-1.