The Impact of BMH-21 on Parasite Load, Biochemical Indices, ESAG6 and ITS-I Genes of Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infected Albino Rats

This study investigated the in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of BMH-21. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into eight groups, each consisting of five rats: IT20, IT40, and IT60. These groups received treatments with 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg body weight (bw) of BMH-21, respectively, after being infected. Additional groups included IUT (Infected-untreated), UUT (Uninfected-untreated), UT60 (Uninfected but given 60 mg/kg bw of BMH-21), P60 (administered 60 mg/kg bw of BMH-21 once, infected after 72 hours, with treatment continuing daily until Day 4), and ITDA (Infected and treated with 3.5 mg/kg bw of diminazine aceturate). Infection was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 ml of blood containing approximately 10³ cells/ml. Standard protocols were followed for parasitological, biochemical, histopathological, and gene expression analyses. Graded doses of BMH-21 significantly reduced (p<0.05) parasitemia in the infected-treated rats. Treatment with 60 mg/kg bw of BMH-21 resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb, and WBC counts in infected-treated animals compared to the IUT group. Serum ALT activity significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the UT60 and P60 groups compared to IUT. Serum AST levels also showed a significant decrease in the IT20, UT60, and P60 groups. Additionally, the expression levels of the T. b. brucei ESAG6 and ITSI genes were down-regulated by 40 mg/kg bw of BMH-21, with fold reductions of 5 and 3, respectively, compared to the calibrator. BMH-21 demonstrated anti-trypanosomal potential against T. b. brucei, improved the biochemical parameters of infected animals, and reduced the expression levels of ESAG6 and ITSI genes.