Effect of crude root extract from synadenium glaucescens on selected bacterial infections in albino mice (mus musculus)
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Date
2011
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The plant. Synadeniuni glaucescens. is widely used in Tanzania to treat various diseases including skin conditions, sores and wounds. However, systematic information about the effectiveness of traditionally prepared S. glaucescens extracts against microbial agents is scanty. In vivo studies using mice were carried out to investigate the effect of root extract from the plant against two pathogenic species of bacteria. A total of 120 mice were used in two experiments involving two bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In each experiment, 60 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups with or without bacterial infection and with or without root extract. Clinical signs and survival rate were monitored and skin, kidneys and livers were examined for gross lesions, histopathological changes and bacterial counts. Results indicated that mice infected with the two bacteria and treated with the root extract from S. glaucescens had significantly less (P < 0.05) severe skin lesions compared to untreated control groups. Histopathological study of liver and kidney tissues showed hydropic degeneration and inflammatory reaction in uninfected groups receiving the extracts. Protein in tubular lumens, desquamated tubular epithelium and necrosis around central veins were observed in livers of mice infected with 5. aureus following infection and treatment with the extract. It is concluded that root extract from S. glaucescens had significant bacterial activity against the two tested bacteria. Histopathological changes in the kidneys and livers of mice which received the extract alone suggest that high doses of prolonged exposure of the tested extract could be harmful to the mice. Further studies are needed to find out
optimum dosage and whether the extract is harmful to other organs.
Description
Masters Theses
Keywords
Medicinal plants, Bacterial infections-albino mice, Mus musculus, Crude root extract