Toxicological Studies and Comparative Anti-Parasitic Activities of Securidaca longepedunculata and Senna occidentalis Root extracts against the Viability of Trichomonas vaginalis

Abstract

Study’s Excerpt:
• S. occidentalis and S. longepedunculata showed strong activity against T. vaginalis at 50 mg/ml.
• S. longepedunculata achieved up to 99.15% inhibition of T. vaginalis parasite growth.
• Acute toxicity at 3000 mg/kg of S. longepedunculata caused severe effects and one rat death.
• Extracts contained alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins, confirming their medicinal potential.
• Findings support traditional use of these plants for genital infections in northern Nigerian tribes.
Full Abstract:
A parasite protozoa called Trichomonas vaginalisis is responsible for trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection. Given the abundance of anti-parasitic compounds found in medicinal plants, looking into more complementary, secure, and efficient treatments is critical. The research aimed to ascertain how well S. longepedunculata and S. occidentalis plants worked to cure the vigina and male genital tract infections among the northern Nigerian tribes. Ethanol and the maceration process were used to create the plant extracts. Acute toxicity and phytochemical investigations were carried out according to standard procedures. Experimental rats administered an acute dose of 3000 mg/kg body weight of S. longepedunculata root extract demonstrated observable changes in physical activity, eye color, and external bleeding from their mouths and noses, indicating acute toxicity. One death was also reported 24 hours later. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts contained phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, penol, reducing sugar saponins, and tannins. In vitro tests were conducted to assess the anti-parasitic effects of the two plant extracts against Trichomonasvaginalis. In the study, the plants' aqueous root extracts were employed for the acute toxicity test, against the test organisms. The anti-parasitic properties of the extracts from the two plants varied. The extracts exhibited the greatest growth inhibitory activity at 50 and 25 mg/ml concentrations, while the lowest activity was observed at a lower concentration of 3.125 mg/ml. At 50 mg/ml, the root extract of Securidac longepedunculata and Senna occidentalis exhibited the highest anti-parasitic activity onT. vaginalis, with 99.15% growth inhibition (GI).The statistical analysis results showed that S. longepedunculata and S. occidentalis differed significantly (P<0.05). In comparison to the negative control, the results showed a significant difference (P<0.001) between the groups of aqueous root extracts. The outcome outlines the rationale behind the traditional medical use of these plants to treat Trichomonas vaginalis infections. Further on station and field studies are required, according to this research, and should concentrate on other STIs of medical significance like gonorrhea, syphilis, etc. Conservation of S. longepedunculata and S. occidentalis should also be a key component to guarantee the plant's availability and sustainability.