Alkaloidal fraction of Diospyros mespiliformis protect against Trypanosoma evansi-mediated haematological and hepatic impairment in infected rats

The present study investigated the antitrypanosomal activities of crude and an alkaloidal fraction of Diospyros mespiliformis in Trypanosoma evansi – infected rats. A total of twenty-one (21) rats were divided into seven (7) groups of three (3) rats each. Groups 1-6 were infected with the T. evansi parasite and were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg BW crude extract, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of the alkaloid fraction of D. mespiliformis, 3.5mg/kg of berenil (standard control) and 0.2 mL/kg BW of normal saline (negative control) respectively. Group 7 serves as the normal control (non-infected and non-treated) rats. Results revealed that the crude extract at 400 mg/kg BW and alkaloid fraction at all doses tested (100 and 200 mg/kg BW) significantly (P<0.05) increased the RBC, PCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, and reduced the elevated bilirubin when compared with the untreated control. The extract also significantly increased the reduced total proteins. In conclusion, an alkaloid from Diospyros mespiliformis ameliorative effect on T. evansi-induced biochemical and hematological alterations in rats, thus could be considered a novel agent for the development of a new drug against trypanosomiasis.