Abstract

Background:
Trypanosoma evansi causes surra disease, leading to livestock losses and liver damage. Chemical treatments often result in resistance and side effects, highlighting the need for natural alternatives. Red ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic properties.

Aim:
This study evaluated the efficacy of red ginger extract against ITS1 gene expression of T. evansi and liver histopathology in experimentally infected mice (Mus musculus).

Methods:
Male mice were divided into five groups: Healthy Control, Infected Control, Positive Drug Control, and treatment groups receiving red ginger extract at 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg BW. Parasitemia was monitored daily, and parasite load was measured using ITS1-targeted qPCR (ΔΔCq). Liver histopathology was scored for edema, necrosis, hemorrhage, fatty degeneration, and inflammatory infiltration. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05).

Results:
Ethanol-extracted red ginger reduced ITS1 gene expression and improved liver histology in a dose-dependent manner. The infected control showed hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, and inflammation, whereas treatment groups exhibited improved hepatocyte structure, reduced inflammation, and normalized sinusoids, especially at 60 mg/kg BW. Survival was highest in the 60 mg/kg BW group. All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Red ginger extract is a promising natural therapeutic agent against T. evansi, effectively reducing ITS1 gene expression, improving liver histopathology, and supporting livestock trypanosomiasis management while reducing reliance on chemical drugs.

Key words: Anti-Trypanosoma; ITS1; Liver histopathology; Trypanosoma evansi; Zingiber officinale Roscoe.