In vivo anti-typhoid and safety evaluation of extracts of Ximenia americana on experimental rats

Abstract Background: Typhoid fever is an infectious disease of serious public health concern. 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. Methodology: Experimental rats in their respective groups were infected with S. typhi via oral administration of infective dose (0.5 ml of 1.5 × 104 cfu/ml) of cultured S. typhi, while group 1 were uninfected. Group 2 were untreated, 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 administered orally for 7 days. Acute toxicity test was carried out using standard methods and signs accompanying toxicity such drowsiness, respiratory distress, diarrhoea, and possible death of animals were monitored for 24 hours in an interval of 2 hours. Physical parameters were also monitored to check symptom amelioration as the treatment progresses. Results: Acute toxicity test showed that experimental rats administered the methanol extract and ethyl-acetate fraction of X. americana had no clinical signs of toxicity such as drowsiness, respiratory distress, diarrhoea, and death. The Physical examination of rats in all the treatment groups showed improvement in symptoms following Salmonella infection as treatment progressed when compared to the untreated group. Salmonella infection led to a significant (p Conclusion: The administration of the methanol extract and ethyl-acetate fraction of X. americana was accompanied by a significant (p