IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO ANTITRYPANOSOMAL ACTIVITY OF XANTHIUM-STRUMARIUMLEAVES

Antitrypanosomal activity of crude 50% ethanolic extract of Xanthium s trumarium leaves was studied in vitro and in vivo. The extract exhibit ed trypanocidal activity at all the four concentrations tested i.e. 5, 50, 500 and 1000 mu g/ml, in vitro. In vivo trial revealed that the e xtract exerted antitrypanosomal effect at dosage of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. At 100 and 300 mg/kg doses the survival peri od of the Trypanosoma evansi infected mice was significantly prolonged . However, the extract was found to be toxic to the animals at 1000 mg /kg dose.