Ode Okwoche Julius
University of Abuja, Nigeria
Title: Crosspteryx febrifuga leaf extract enhances host mice resistance and survival by disrupting the activity of superoxide dismutase in T. congolense parasites
Biography
Biography: Ode Okwoche Julius
Abstract
African trypanosomosis, a neglected tropical disease of economic and health importance in man and animals is caused by diverse species of the protozoan parasite, Trypanosome. Although anti-trypanosomal medications exist, the lack of vaccines, increase in drug resistance and persistent antigenic variation in the parasites provoke the need to explore for potent agents with selective toxicity to the parasite. Trypanosoma congolense is the specie of concern because billions of dollars are lost per year due to its infection. Crosspteryx febrifuga is a popular herbal plant in Nigeria known to be effective in the treatment of several disease conditions. However, the anti-trypanosomal activities of this plant had not been investigated.