Indigofera oblongifolia protects against trypanosomiasis induced spleen injury.
BACKGROUND Trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease, transmitted by blood sucking insects and can affect humans and animals, depending on the species of Trypanosoma parasite. Trypanosoma has acquired resistance to the majority of drugs used; hence, alternative medicines are required. Indigofera oblongifolia leaf extract (IOE) has been shown to treat blood stage malaria. Here, IOE was used to demonstrate its effect on Trypanosoma evansi infected mice. METHODS Analysis of IOE by gas chromatography mass spectrometry showed the presence of many active components like flavonoids and phenolics. The mice were divided into three groups as follows: vehicle control, T. evansi infected mice and T. evansi infected treated mice. RESULTS The findings demonstrate a significant effect of IOE treatment on T. evansi infected mice. Parasitemia was decreased by 70% weight loss was reduced, and splenomegaly was significantly decreased. Additionally, IOE improved the histological architecture of the spleen, as shown by the improved histological injury score post treatment. Anemia was apparent during the course of infection in T. evansi infected mice; this was reversed upon treatment with IOE to almost the normal level of hemoglobin and erythrocytes. Reduced glutathione and catalase were also ameliorated upon IOE treatment compared to T. evansi infected mice. CONCLUSION Overall, this study shows the ameliorative role of IOE against T. evansi induced spleen injury in mice.
Journal of infection and public health