In vivo anti-typhoid evaluation of aqueous leaf-extract of Olax subscorpioidea on hematological and biochemical parameters in salmonella typhi-infected rats

Typhoid fever is a global health concern, especially in Africa. Ongoing efforts seek effective plant-based treatments, with Olax subscorpioidea showing promise due to its traditional medicinal applications. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Olax subscorpioidea on biochemical and hematological parameters in Salmonella typhi-infected albino rats. A total of 92 albino rats were randomly assigned into groups (A–G). Groups A and B consisted of 16 rats each, while groups C to G had 12 rats each. Typhoid fever was induced in groups B to F through oral administration of 0.5 ml of S. typhi suspension containing 1 × 10⁶ CFU/ml. Group A served as the normal control (uninfected, untreated), and group B as the negative control (infected, untreated). Group C was treated with 10 mg/kg ciprofloxacin (positive control). Groups D to G received 125, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight of O. subscorpioidea aqueous extract, respectively. Infection was confirmed using the Widal agglutination test 48 hours post-infection. On days 5, 10, and 15 post-treatment, four rats from each group were sacrificed for biochemical and hematological analysis. The extract significantly reversed S. typhi-induced alterations in both biochemical and hematological parameters. Improvements were dose-dependent and comparable to those observed in ciprofloxacin-treated rats, suggesting a robust therapeutic effect. The aqueous leaf extract of Olax subscorpioidea significantly improved S. typhi-induced abnormalities in albino rats, highlighting its promise as a plant-based therapeutic option for managing typhoid fever.