Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology

Crosspteryx febrifuga leaf extract enhances host mice resistance and survival by disrupting the activity of superoxide dismutase in T. congolense parasites

36^th World Congress on Pharmacology

July 25, 2023 | Webinar

Ode Okwoche Julius

University of Abuja, Nigeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Pharmacol

Abstract:

Statement of problem: African trypanosomosis, a neglected tropical disease of economic and health importance in man and animals is caused by diverse species of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosome. Although anti-trypanosomal medications exist, the lack of vaccines, increase in drug resistance and persistent antigenic variation in the parasites provoke the need to explore for potent agents with selective toxicity to the parasite. Trypanosoma congolense is the specie of concern because billions of dollars are lost per year due to its infection. Crosspteryx febrifuga is a popular herbal plant in Nigeria known to be effective in the treatment of several disease conditions. However, the anti-trypanosomal activities of this plant had not been investigated. The present study sought to assess both the in vivo and in vitro trypanocidal efficacy of Crosspteryx febrifuga leaf extract against T. congolense. Methodology: Extract (C.f/L-extract) was prepared using soxhlet extractor, concentrated in vacuo at 400C and stored at -200C for use. Laboratory animals were used in accordance with Direction 2010/63/EU. In vivo and in vitro trypanocidal effects of the extract were investigated. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide secretion were determined in bone marrow-derived macrophages exposed to the extract. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-12p70 were assayed using ELISA; IL-10 and IFN- expression in CD4+ T cells were analyzed. Ability of the extract to disrupt the parasite-shielding enzyme (superoxide dismutase) was investigated. Findings: C.f/L-extract caused significant decrease in number of parasites in the host and in vitro cultures. There was elevation in the expression of the apoptotic markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide secretion, increased secretion of IFN- at the expense of IL-10 from T cells, but decreased activity of superoxide dismutase in T. congolense parasites Conclusions: Cf/L-extract demonstrated marked trypanocidal effects as a potential treatment option for T. congolense infection.

Biography :

Ode Okwoche Julius is a Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology in the Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Abuja, Nigeria. He specialized in the field of Drug discovery and Ethnopharmacology. He holds a PhD from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is a member of the College of Veterinary Surgeons, Nigeria (FCVSN). He has over 14 years of experience in teaching and conducting research within the University system. His current research is on drug discovery from natural products and toxicity of bioactive compounds. His has 56 research publications in per-reviewed journals. He collaborates with researchers in the Departments of Immunology and also Pathology, University of Manitoba, Canada.