title: Evaluation of berries of Phytolacca dodecandra for growth inhibition of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum and treatment of cases of epizootic lymphangitis in Ethiopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the berries of Phytolacca dodecandra (P. dodecandra) for its effect on Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (HCF) and for the treatment of cases of epizootic lymphangitis (EL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples were collected from un-ruptured nodules of cases of EL at Debre Zeit and Akaki (central Ethiopia). Mycological culture and isolation of HCF were performed at the Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology. Phytochemical screening was done for n-butanol extract of P. dodecandra to detect alkaloids, saponins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of aqueous and n-butanol extracts of P. dodecandra against HCF were determined by agar dilution assay. For the in vivo trial, 5% simple ointment was prepared from n-butanol extract and applied topically to 24 (twelve early and twelve moderate) cases of EL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical screening showed that n-butanol extract of P. dodecandra was positive for alkaloids, saponins and phenolic compounds but negative for flavonoids. The MICs of n-butanol and aqueous extracts of P. dodecandra were (0.039%-0.078%) and (0.625%-1.250%), respectively. The MFCs of n-butanol and aqueous extracts of P. dodecandra were (0.078%-0.156%) and (1.250%-2.500%), respectively. The MIC and MFC of ketoconazole (positive control) was (1.200×10(-5)%-2.500×10(-5)%) and (5.000×10(-5)%-1.000×10(-4)%), respectively while growth was observed on free medium (negative control). From the total of 24 treated cases of EL, 14 (58.3%) responded to treatment; however, 10 (41.7%) did not respond to treatment. There was no significant difference in the degree of response to treatment between early and moderate cases (χ(2)=0.686; P=0.408).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that n-butanol extract of P. dodecandra demonstrates antifungal effects while the aqueous extract shows no antifungal activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ; Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Negesse
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mekonnen
authors.forename: Eyasu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makonnen
authors.forename: Nigatu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aklilu
authors.forename: Gobena
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ameni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005002:Ethiopia; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000187:drug effects*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D008205:Lymphangitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D029605:Phytolacca dodecandra / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Agar dilution assay; Antifungal activity; Chronic disease; Contagious disease; Epizootic lymphangitis; Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum; In vivo trial; Lymphangitis; Minimum fungicidal; Minimum inhibitory concentration; Mycological culture; Phytochemical screening; Phytolacca dodecandra; concentration