Effect of Ximenia americana Stem Bark Extract and Fraction on Salmonella typhi-infected Rats

Abstract

Typhoid/enteric fever remains a major public health problem in developing countries giving rise to intestinal perforation if poorly treated or untreated. The anti-typhoid efficacy and safety of Ximenia americana stem bark extracts on the nephrocytes, hepatocytes, and haematological parameters of Salmonella typhi infected Wistar albino rats was evaluated. Experimental rats in their respective groups were infected with S. typhi while group 1 was uninfected. Group 2 were not treated, group 3 were treated with the standard drug (ciprofloxacin), while groups 4, 5, 6 were treated with (100, 200, 300) mg/kg bodyweight of the methanol extract of X. americana stem bark, and groups 7, 8 and 9 were treated with (100, 200, 300) mg/kg bodyweight of the ethyl-acetate fraction of X. americana stem bark for 7 days. Salmonella infection led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum urea, sodium, chloride levels, bilirubin concentration, total white cell count and activities of the liver enzymes as compared to normal and apparently healthy rats. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in PCV, haemoglobin concentration,RBC count, serum potassium, total protein and creatinine levels of the infected groups was observed as compared to the normal uninfected group. The administration of both extract and fraction was accompanied by a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in serum electrolytes and alkaline phosphatase in the treated groups. X. americana could be a safe natural alternative source for enteric fever.