Observations placeholder
Antiparasitic action of Picralima nitida
Identifier
010381
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Trypanosomatids are a group of kinetoplastid protozoa distinguished by having only a single flagellum. The name is derived from the Greek trypano (borer) and soma (body) because of the corkscrew-like motion of some trypanosomatid species. All members are exclusively parasitic, and include several species that cause major diseases in humans.
The three major human diseases caused by trypanosomatids are; African trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei), South American trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi), and leishmaniasis (a set of trypanosomal diseases caused by various species of Leishmania).
A description of the experience
J Ethnopharmacol. 1989 May;25(3):263-8. Use of extracts of Picralima nitida bark in the treatment of experimental trypanosomiasis: a preliminary study. Wosu LO1, Ibe CC.
The effect of a boiling water extract of Picralima nitida bark against trypanosomes (T. brucei) in rats was compared with that of diminazene aceturate at 8 mg/kg i.p. Results showed that the extract had a definite trypanocidal effect which was statistically comparable to that of diminazene aceturate. Further work is needed to identify the active pharmacological agent and to standardise the usage of the agent in practice.
PMID: 2747261