ABSTRACT

 An in vivo study was carried out to determine the anti-trypanosomal effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis on T. brucei brucei infected mice. Thirty-six Albino rats, divided into six groups that contain six rats each and fed ad libitum were used for the experiment. Group 2 to 6 were induced with 0.3 ml of T.brucei brucei. After 6 days establishment of the infection, Group 3 was administered 30mg/kg body weight of the standard drug. Group 4 to 6 were administered 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body-weight of the ethanolic leaf extract respectively. There were variations in the recorded body weight of the animals. Group 4 treated with 200mg/kg dosage of the leaf extract recorded the highest mean weight of 228.17g 36.39g followed by group 5 with 2.19.83g 5.50g and group 1 with 211.17g ± 5.17g. The least mean weight after post treatment was recorded from group 2 (infected untreated) followed by group 3 (infected and treated with standard drugs) with 171.50g 5.41g and 198.83g 3.91g. The recorded levels of the enzymes (Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase, Alkaline Phosphatase) also showed some level of variations. Group 4 treated with 200mg/kg dosage of the leaf extract recorded the highest mean level of Aspartate aminotransferase with 172.00ul ± 4.99ul followed by gro 5 with 142.00ul 2.52ul and gro 1 with 35.17ul 0.83ul. The level of Total protein also showed variations. Group 6 treated with 800mg/kg ofthe leaf extract recorded the highest mean level of 5.43g/dl O.lOg/dl followed by group 5 with 5.15g/dl ± 0.16g/dl. The lowest mean was recorded in group 4 with 4.88g/dl 0.15g/dl. The weight of the liver in the control experiment was 7.72g 0.33g but in the treatement groups, the highest was from group 5 with 9.73g 0.50g followed by group 6 wih 9.10g 0.12g while the least was from group 4 with 8.82g 0.14g. The anti-trypamosomal potential of the extracts was therefore demonstrated, and can be harnessed for further research to alleviate T.brucei brucei though.