In vivo Effect of Cassava Flakes Mixed with Euphorbia heterophylla against Salmonella typhi

Aims: The therapeutic effect of Euphorbia heterophylla and cassava flakes mixture in treatment of Salmonellosis was studied in vivo.

Methodology: Antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of Euphorbia heterophylla was first evaluated using agar well diffusion method by measuring the diameters of zones of inhibition on Salmonella typhi in vitro. The test organism was susceptible to Euphorbia heterophylla extract. Albino rats were infected with Salmonella typhi and confirmed using WIDAL test.

Results: The result showed that the infectivity dose was 2.0×102 cfu/ml for an albino rat of average weight 110 g. The qualitative analysis of the phytochemical of the plant showed that anthraquinone, glycosides and alkaloid are present. The analysis of the pH of the white cassava flakes used was 3.83 while that of the red cassava flakes was 5.62. The titre value of the infected rats increased significantly from 1:20 to 1:160 three days after infection. Administration of Euphorbia heterophylla with cassava flakes mixture was found to effectively treat and reduce the titre value to 1:20 after treating for 7 days. The infection caused a decreasing effect on the haematological parameters such as PCV and WBC. The histopathological analyses of the organs of the infected rats caused mild to severe pathological changes varying from widespread vascular damage, haemorrhage, vasculitis, cellular degeneration and necrosis of the organs. The therapeutic effect of the treatment administered using the Euphorbia heterophylla – cassava flakes mixture showed recuperating cells of the organs analysed histopathologically.

Conclusion: The results obtained in this work showed that Euphorbia heterophylla mixed with cassava flakes is an effective therapeutic agent for Salmonellosis and that the Euphorbia heterophylla with white cassava flakes mixture is more effective in the treatment of Salmonellosis.