Scientific publications
Other affiliations: Université de Dschang
Donatien Gatsing
Joseph M.M. Nkodo
Jean‐De‐Dieu Tamokou
Jules‐Roger Kuiate
Joseph Tchoumboué
Pharmacologia
Background and Objective: Paullinia pinnata is an African woody vine whose leaf decoction has been used in Cameroon for the treatment of bacterial infections like typhoid fever, syphilis, gonorrhea, diarrhoea and symptoms such as stomach-ache and waist pain. The present study was designed to evaluate the adverse side effects resulting from the use of P. pinnata methanol leaf extract in the treatment of Salmonella typhimurium-induced typhoid in Wistar rats. Methodology: After the establishment of infection by oral administration of a S. typhimurium suspension, animals were treated by the daily administration of P. pinnata methanol leaf extract at various doses (55. 75, 111.50, 223 and 446 mg kgG 1 b.wt.). The effect of the extract on body weight evolution was monitored daily. Results: Also, the effect of the extract on relative organ weight, biochemical parameters as well as liver histology was assessed. Irrespective of sex, typhoid fever induced an abnormal increase in the relative weight of most vital organs of toxicological importance. However, extract treatment normalized the excessive increase in relative organ weights; while inducing a significant (p<0.05) body weight gain in a dose-dependent manner. The level of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) were significantly (p<0.05) reduced after the treatment of the animals with P. pinnata leaf extract. The histopathological analysis of the liver revealed that extract treatment greatly reduced the degree of liver affections in a dose-dependent manner. However, at high doses (dose $223 mg kgG 1 b.wt.) the extract was capable of stimulating hepatic necrosis.
