The effect of black seed oil (Nigella sativa oil) on parasitaemia, some serum and liver enzymes as well as some haematological parameters in Trypanosoma brucei-infected rats was investigated. The results show there was low parasitaemia and extension of life span of rats from 12 days of the infected untreated (control) rats to 22 days for the infected black seed oil-treated rats. Results also show significant increases in activities of serum alkaline phosphatase as well as glutamate oxaloacetate and glutamate pyruvate transaminases with decreases in the liver enzyme activities. Protein concentrations show significant decreases in the serum and increases in the liver. There were also significant increases in the haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts of infected oil-treated rats when compared with the infected untreated. We suggest that black seed oil has trypanocidal properties and probably stimulate the host immune system to control parasite proliferation thereby making it a possible agent for managing African sleeping sickness despite possible gradual damage to host organs as shown by increases in some serum enzymes.

Alkaline phosphatase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities were assessed in rats highly infected with federe strain of Trypanosoma brucei and treated with honey. Therapeutic effect of honey on parasitaemia was also assessed. Results show an extension in the life span of infected but treated rats from 12 days for control to 19 days for infected honey-treated rats. Parasitaemia was also effectively lowered. Alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in the serum but not significantly different in the liver. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase were also increased in the serum but there is decrease in glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity in the liver. There were no significant differences in glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activity in the liver. Results suggest that, honey could be a potential agent in the management of African trypanosomosis. However, it leads to decrease in glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity in the liver suggesting liver damage. Increase in glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the serum also suggest possible damage to other organs where these maybe abundant.

Honey has been reported to clear infection through a number of properties including boosting the immune system, its anti-inflammatory action, antioxidant activity and stimulation of cell growth. Anaemia and serum biochemical changes are common features of African trypanosomosis. We investigated whether honey has protective effect on some liver functions and blood parameters affected by trypanosome infection. The serum albumin concentration in infected untreated rats increased significantly (p<0.05) compared with control whereas treatment with honey returned this effect to normal values. Anaemia which became severe by day11 of post infection as measured by significant changes (p<0.05) in the haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell and platelets counts was ameliorated when compared with the control (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in liver gamma glutamyl transferase in infected untreated, prophylactic and late stage treated group compared with the control groups. We suggest that honey has ameliorative effects on symptoms and some biochemical effects of T. brucei infections in rats.

Ethyl acetate extract of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and methanolic extract of garlic (Allium sativum) were obtained by fermenting powdered wheat germ and garlic bulbs. The extracts were assessed for their active constituents. The result of the quantitative phytochemical analysis shows that the plant contain secondary metabolite with high percentage of glycoside (19.513%), alkaloids (4.017%) and saponins (7.992%) for wheat extract and glycoside (21.088%), alkaloids (3.570%) and saponins (0.696%) for garlic extract. The extract exhibit antit-rypanosomal activity by showing decrease in the proliferation of parasite and extension of surviving days of Trypanosoma brucei-infected rats from 8 days of the control (infected-untreated) to 14 days of infected treated with wheat and 17 days for infected treated with garlic extract. This study scientifically demonstrates the potential of fermented wheat germ ethylacetate extract and garlic bulbs methanolic extract in the management of Africa trypanosomiasis.