Trypanocidal Activity of an Organotin Compound (Tri-n-Butyltin Oxide) toward Trypanosoma brucei

The organotin compound Tri-n-butyltin oxide was found to possess trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei. In vitro studies with the drug at 200μg/ml immobilized and lysed the parasites. In vivo experiments in infected rats at a dosage of 10mg/kg/day for 4 consecutive days completely cleared the blood of the parasites. Pathological analysis of the brains, kidneys, and livers of the treated animals did not reveal any abnormalities 6 weeks post-treatment. However, parasite-altered kidney Na+, K+-ATPase kinetics was observed to be rectified post-treatment.