In vitro and in vivo trypanocidal action of aescin and aescin liposomes against Trypanosoma evansi in experimental mice

Objective:To verify the trypanocidal effectiveness of aescin and aescin liposomes against Trypanosoma evansi in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Aescin and aescin liposomes were used in vitro on trypomastigotes at different concentrations(0.5%,1.0%and 2.0%) and exposure times(0,1,3,6 and 9 h).In vivo tests were performed using mice as the experimental model.Trypanosome evansi infected mice were treated with aescin and aescin liposomes with doses of 60 and 100 mg/kg during 4 d.Results:The three concentrations tested in free form and nanoencapsulated showed trypanocidal activity in vitro,completely eliminating the parasites in small concentration after6 h of assay.Animals treated with aescin(100 mg/kg) and aescin liposomes(100 mg/kg)showed increase in longevity,however without curative effect.Conclusions:Active compounds present in natural products,such as aescin,may potentiate the treatment of trypanosomosis when used in association with other trypanocidal drugs.