Antitrypanosomal Activity and Safety Evaluation of Ficus capensis Leaf Extracts in Mice Infected with Trypanosoma brucei

Background and Objective: African trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma brucei, remains a major health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa, with increasing drug resistance highlighting the need for new therapeutic agents. Ficus capensis, a medicinal plant used in African traditional medicine, has demonstrated various pharmacological properties, including antiprotozoal activity. This study aimed to evaluate the antitrypanosomal efficacy and safety of different solvent extracts of Ficus capensis leaves in a mouse model infected with T. brucei brucei. Materials and Methods: Male mice were infected with T. brucei brucei and treated with aqueous, methanol, dichloromethane, or cyclohexane leaf extracts of F. capensis at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg. Parasitemia levels and survival times were recorded. Acute toxicity was assessed up to 3000 mg/kg. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and significance was determined at p<0.05. Results: The methanol extract exhibited the highest antitrypanosomal activity, significantly reducing parasitemia and extending survival up to six days (p<0.05). Other extracts showed limited efficacy, with treated mice surviving no longer than four days. Toxicity testing revealed no adverse effects across all extracts at doses up to 3000 mg/kg. Conclusion: Ficus capensis, particularly its methanol leaf extract, demonstrates promising antitrypanosomal activity with a favorable safety profile. These findings support its potential as a source of alternative therapeutic agents against African trypanosomiasis, warranting further studies to isolate active compounds and optimize treatment efficacy.