Ex-vivo Antispasmodic and In vivo Anti Salmonella Potential of Rumex bequaertii Leaves Extracts

Objective: The present study aimed at investigating the acute toxicity, the ex-vivo antispasmodic potential of aqueous and ethanolic Rumex bequaertii leaves extracts in isolated ileum fragment and antimicrobial activity of Rumex bequaertii ethanolic leaves extract in animal models infected with Salmonella typhi.

Methods: Acute toxicity using a single dose of ethanolic extract of Rumex bequaertii at 2000 mg/kg was administered to female rats and effects were observed during 14 days. Different cumulative concentrations of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Rumex bequaertii leaves were tested for spontaneous contractions and potassium chloride-induced contractions in rat ileum fragment. Different doses of the ethanolic extract of Rumex bequaertii leaves were tested for antidiarrheal activity in Wistar rats infected with Salmonella typhi.

Results: Rats given the single dose of Rumex bequaertii ethanolic extract showed no significant changes in body and organs weights compared to control rats. Administration of extracts at all tested concentrations resulted to inhibition of ileum contractions. Inhibition of spontaneous contractions of ileum fragment by aqueous extract ranging from 24.48 to 90.19 %, for 2.91, to 15.25 mg/mL, respectively, while ethanolic extract was from 42.00 to 83.72 %, for 0.99, to 5.66 mg/mL, respectively. Concerning potassium chloride-induced contraction, aqueous extract concentrations (from 2.91 to 15.25 mg/mL) inhibited contractions from 31.46 to 67.23 %; the ethanolic extract (0.99 to 5.66 mg/mL) inhibited from 38.25, to 82.60 % and verapamil from 14.31 to 80.70 %, at 0.06 to 0.34 mg/mL. After administration of ethanolic extract, all tested doses resulted to reduction of Salmonella typhi load in stools and blood, with activities being duration and dose dependent.

Conclusion: The lethal dose 50 of the Rumex bequaertii ethanol extract is greater than 2000 mg/kg. Aqueous and ethanolic leaves’ extracts of Rumex bequaertii possess ex-vivo antispasmodic and ethanolic leaves extract of Rumex bequaertii possess antimicrobial activity.