Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International

Aims: Typhoid fever is still a major public health problem in developing countries, where it remains endemic. In view of searching for new antityphoid substances, the antisalmonellal and antioxidant properties of extracts and fractions of Mangifera indica L. stem bark were assessed.
Study Design: Extraction, fractionation, antibacterial and antioxidant evaluation, phytochemical screening.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon, between October 2013 and May 2014.
Methodology: Different fractions, i.e. hexane, ethyl acetate and residual fractions, were obtained from methanol/methylene chloride (MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) (1:1) extract of Mangifera indica L. stem bark by partitioning. Various aqueous extracts were also prepared by decoction, infusion and maceration. All these extracts and fractions were subjected to antibacterial evaluation against Salmonella Typhi, Salmonella Paratyphi A, Salmonella Paratyphi B and Salmonella Typhimurium isolates, and a strain of Salmonella Typhi ATCC 6539, using the microdilution method. The evaluation of antioxidant properties, quantitative determination of total phenols and flavonoids, and phytochemical screening of these extracts and fractions were also performed.
Results: The antimicrobial results showed that Mangifera indica L. extracts and fractions exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 64 to 1024 µg/mL. The extracts and fractions exhibited antioxidant properties, e.g. IC₅₀ = 10.00 µg/mL for the MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ extract and fractions, and 11.99 µg/mL for the infused extract. Significant amounts of total phenols and flavonoids were detected. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, triterpenes and steroids in all the extracts and fractions.
Conclusion: In the light of the foregoing, it was obvious that Mangifera indica L. stem bark contain antisalmonellal and antioxidant principles which could be developed for the treatment of enteric fevers (typhoid and paratyphoid fevers) and the management of oxidative stress induced by the infection. These findings support the claim of the local community about the use of this plant for the treatment of typhoid fever.