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.