In-vitro trypanocidal activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Terminalia catappa leaf

Trypanosomiasis is a globally occurring parasitic disease in animals and humans. Therefore, a herbal therapeutic agent with trypanocidal properties has become increasingly demanded. In this research, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Terminalia catappa leaf were tested for their in vitro trypanocidal activity. A total of 40 µl of blood containing about 20-25 Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasites per field was mixed with 20 µl of either ethanolic or aqueous extract solutions containing 100, 80, and 60 mg/ml, respectively, to produce adequate test concentrations of 25, 20, and 15 mg/ml. Ethanolic extract and aqueous extract were tested in vitro for phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and anti-trypanosomal activity against at three concentrations (25, 20, and 15 mg per ml) compared to a positive control of diminazene diaceturate and a negative control of glucose phosphate-buffered saline. The positive control and the 25 mg/ml ethanolic extract treatment groups had a complete seizure of Trypanosome motility after 30 minutes. The 20 mg/ml ethanolic extract-treated group had a complete seizure of Trypanosome motility after 45 minutes. A total seizure of Trypanosome motility was observed at 60 minutes with 15 mg/ml ethanolic extract and 25 mg/ml aqueous extract. In conclusion, 25 mg/ml ethanolic extract resulted in an anti-trypanosomal activity in vitro similar to that of the commercialtrypanocidal agent. These results are encouraging to test the viability of this treatment in vivo.