Aqueous Allium sativum extract supplementation delays Trypanosoma brucei infection in albino rats

Trypanosomosis is one of the most important diseases of livestock and humans in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the effect of garlic (Allium sativum) aqueous extract supplementation on the course of trypanosomosis in albino rats, considering the phytochemical constituents of the extract, blood parameters, prepatent period, level of parasitaemia, and survival rate of the animals. Phytochemical evaluation of Garlic aqueous extract confirmed the availability of flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids while alkaloids and saponins were absent. All infected rats became parasitaemic 2 days PI (post infection) and climaxed 5 days PI. The post-treatment haematological parameters such as packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (HB), and red blood cell count (RBC) in groups treated with Berenil® and Berenil® plus extract were significantly improved. Groups pretreated with aqueous extract before infection demonstrated delayed parasitaemia for 24 hours and increased survival for 2 days in those with 30 days of pretreatment. However, the extract supplement alone at the selected dosages had no inhibitory effect on T. brucei infection. This study concluded that aqueous extract of Allium sativum contains flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, which acted synergistically with diminazene aceturate against T. brucei infection.