Anti-trypanosome effects of nutritional supplements and vitamin D3: in vitro and in vivo efficacy against Trypanosoma brucei brucei.

Background: Previous publications suggest that nutritional supplements have anti-trypanosome activity in vitro, although apparent efficacy was not noted in vivo. This study was conducted by experimentally infecting mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei to assess the anti-trypanosome activity of various nutritional supplements with the hope of finding possible application in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis.

Methods: Activities of nutritional supplements were screened in vitro against bloodstream forms of T.