IN VITRO ANTITRYPANOSOMAL ACTIVITY OF METHANOL FUNGAL EXTRACTS OF ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS AND ASPERGILLUS NIGER AGAINST TRYPANOSOMA BRUCEI BRUCEI, (FEDERE STRAIN)

Abstract

The anti-trypanosomal activity of fungal extracts against Trypanosoma spp. is reported. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from rice bran were cultured on potatoes dextrose agar. Each fungal moss was separately harvested, and extracted in methanol. The respective fungal extracts were evaluated for in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity against T. b. brucei, Federe strain, at test concentrations ranging from 15.625µg/ml to 1000 µg/ml. The results of the study showed that methanolic fungal extracts exhibited significant in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity comparable to Berenilâ„¢ (Diminazene aceturate). The minimum trypanocidal concentrations (MTC) for A. fumigatus, A. niger extracts and Berenil were 125 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, and 500 µg/ml, respectively, six-hour post-incubation; the respective median inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) were 44.79 ± 5.32 µg/ml, 49.86 ± 0.038 µg/ml, and 124.49 ± 29.3 µg/ml. It may be inferred that the fungal extracts contain chemical moieties with cidal effects against African trypanosomes, and could be potential sources of drug for the treatment of trypanosome infection.