Antitrypanosomal Activity and Acute Toxicity of Euphorbia hirta Leaf Extract and a Green-Synthesized Vanadium-Based Nanoparticles against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Mice

Authors

  • Funmilayo Ibilola Paul
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
    Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • James Ishaku Maikenti
    Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Akwashiki Ombugadu
    Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Mohammed Ahmed Ashigar
    Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Hussein Oshomah Ahmed
    Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Victoria Adamu Pam
    Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Euphorbia hirta , Vanadium nanoparticles , Anti-trypanosomal activity , Trypanosoma brucei brucei , Phytochemicals , African trypanosomiasis

Abstract

African trypanosomiasis remains an important parasitic disease for which limitations associated with existing trypanocidal drugs necessitate alternative therapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, in vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal activity, and acute toxicity of aqueous Euphorbia hirta leaf extract and green-synthesized vanadium nanoparticles against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in mice. Aqueous E. hirta leaf extract was subjected to phytochemical and GC–MS analyses and used for green synthesis of vanadium nanoparticles, which were characterized by FTIR and SEM. Acute toxicity was assessed using Lorke’s method. In vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal activities were evaluated against T. brucei brucei, with parasitaemia, body weight, PCV, and histopathological changes assessed in infected mice. Phytochemical screening detected alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, coumarins, carbohydrates, and proteins, while GC–MS identified 25 constituents. In vitro, both treatments inhibited parasite motility in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with complete inhibition at 10 mg/mL. Acute toxicity testing indicated LD₅₀ values ≥ 3000mg/kg for the synthesized nanoparticles and ≥ 5000mg/kg for the leaf extract. In vivo, significant differences were observed among treatment groups for parasitaemia (H = 18.30, p = 0.006), body weight (H = 19.19, p = 0.004), and PCV (H = 16.09, p = 0.012). Histopathological examination showed reduced tissue alterations in treated mice compared with infected untreated controls. E. hirta extract and green-synthesized vanadium nanoparticles demonstrated preliminary parasite-suppressive activity but were less effective than diminazene aceturate. Further studies incorporating dose optimization, mechanistic investigations, pharmacokinetics, and long-term safety assessment are suggested.

Dimensions

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cover

Published

2026-10-18

How to Cite

Antitrypanosomal Activity and Acute Toxicity of Euphorbia hirta Leaf Extract and a Green-Synthesized Vanadium-Based Nanoparticles against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Mice. (2026). Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4(2), 173-189. https://doi.org/10.62050/ljsir2026.v4n2.963

Issue

Volume 4, Issue 2 (October, 2026), Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research (LJSIR)

Section

Life Sciences
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2026 Funmilayo Ibilola Paul, James Ishaku Maikenti, Akwashiki Ombugadu, Mohammed Ahmed Ashigar, Hussein Oshomah Ahmed, Victoria Adamu Pam (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Antitrypanosomal Activity and Acute Toxicity of Euphorbia hirta Leaf Extract and a Green-Synthesized Vanadium-Based Nanoparticles against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Mice. (2026). Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4(2), 173-189. https://doi.org/10.62050/ljsir2026.v4n2.963

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