Evaluation of Histopathological Effect of Kaempferol in Trypanosoma brucei brucei Experimentally Infected Mice

Kaempferol is a polyphenolic compound that is widely distributed in plants. It is used in the treatment of different immunocompromised disease conditions. Toxicity and development of resistance are two major setbacks associated withavilablesynthetic antitrypanosomal drugs, therefore, search for safer and more effective alternative therapy of trypanosomosis becomes paramount. This studywas aimed at evaluating the histopathological effect of kaempferol in mice with experimental Trypanosoma brucei bruceiinfection. Thirty-six adult Swiss albino mice of either sexes were randomly divided into six groups of six mice each. Mice in group I were untreated uninfected. Mice in group II were pre-treated with kaempferol (1 mg/kg) for 14 days. Mice in groups II to VI each were inoculated with blood containing Trypanosoma brucei brucei (10⁶ trypanosomes/ml of blood/mouse) intraperitoneally. Histopathological examination was also conducted post-infection and post-treatment. Histopathological lesions observed were acute and are seen only in infected untreated groups, which involved the brain (slight necrosis), heart (slight myocardial necrosis s) and kidney (lymphocyte hyperplasia and tubular necrosis), liver (vascular congestion), lungs (perivascular lymphocyte infiltration) and alveolar congestion). Kaempferol treated mice showed no clear histopathological lesion. Therefore, treatment with kaempferol in mice with experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection have prevented the parasite from reaching the selected organs being examined.