Effect of Saurauia vulcani leaf extract on spleen morphometric and histopathological changes in rats infected with Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract

Typhoid-like systemic infection caused by Salmonella species can induce immune responses affecting lymphoid organs such as the spleen. Saurauia vulcani (pirdot) is a traditional medicinal plant known to contain bioactive compounds with potential immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of S. vulcani leaf extract on spleen morphometry and histopathology in rats infected with Salmonella typhimurium. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8): normal control (K1), negative control infected with S. typhimurium (K2), positive control treated with chloramphenicol (K3), and treatment group receiving S. vulcani extract (K4). The extract was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. Spleen weight, spleen volume (cm³), and histological features were evaluated. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests and presented as medians. Infection increased spleen weight and volume compared to the normal control. The treatment group showed a decreasing trend in spleen weight and volume compared to the negative control; however, the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Histological observations indicated improved preservation of splenic architecture in the treatment group compared to infected controls. S. vulcani leaf extract showed a tendency to maintain spleen morphology during S. typhimurium infection; however, no statistically significant effect was observed.