title: Antityphoid properties and toxicity evaluation of Harungana madagascariensis Lam (Hypericaceae) aqueous leaf extract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Harungana madagascariensis Lam is commonly used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of malaria and typhoid fever.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the therapeutic potentials of H. madagascariensis aqueous leaf extract for the treatment of salmonellosis (e.g. typhoid fever, gastroenteritis).
  
  
  METHODS
  A Salmonella Typhimurium-infected rat model was used. The faeces of these rats were analysed for viable Salmonella Typhimurium before and after infection, and during the treatment period. The physiological, biochemical and histopathological markers of possible side effects of the extract were also studied using standard methods and kits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The in vivo antisalmonellal study revealed that this extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced the number of viable Salmonella Typhimurium recovered from faeces, and could stop salmonellosis after 10 days of treatment for male and female rats, with non-toxic doses. However, the biochemical and histological analyses revealed that at relatively high-doses (≥100mg/kg for females and 200mg/kg for males) the extract could induce liver damage, as illustrated by a rise of serum transaminases (ALT and AST), significant inflammation of the parenchyma and portal vein, as well as cell necrosis. There were also increases in cholesterol levels in both sexes. No significant unwanted side effect of the extract was observed on the kidney, as shown by both serum and urinary creatinine, and urinary protein levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained showed that H. madagascariensis has a promising antisalmonellal effect and, therefore, the potential to provide an effective treatment against salmonellosis, including typhoid fever.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kengni
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Siméon P C
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Fodouop
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Tala
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Merline N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Djimeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacotoxicology and Pharmacokinetics, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fokunang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. Electronic address: gatsingd@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Donatien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gatsing
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002163:Cameroon; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D028084:Clusiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009336:Necrosis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Antibacterial activity; Enteric fevers; Harungana madagascariensis; Salmonella sp.; Toxicity.