In vivo antibacterial activities of aqueous stem bark extract of Ficus abutilifolia (Miq) in mice experimentally infected with Salmonella typhi

Traditional medicine practitioners use Ficus abutilifolia to treat typhoid fever, chronic dysentery, and infertility. This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of aqueous stem bark extract of Ficus abutilifolia in Swiss albino mice experimentally infected with Salmonella typhi. Following plant identification, the stem bark extract was prepared using aqueous maceration and evaporation. Thirty mice were challenged with 1 ml containing 10³cfu/ml cells by gavage and randomly divided into six groups (n = 5). Mice in group I served as normal control, II as infected-untreated, III was treated with ciprofloxacin (14.3 mg/kg BW; positive control), IV, V, and VI were treated with oral gavage of stem bark extract at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, for seven consecutive days. Mean body weight and relative weight gain were calculated. Blood samples were collected for hematological examination and oxidative stress markers. The survival rate of the 400 mg/kg and ciprofloxacin-treated groups were 100 %. The 400 mg/kg-treated group exhibited the lowest bacterial load (p < 0.05) at 5.33 ± 1.52 CFU/ml by day 7 in comparison to ciprofloxacin and other treatment groups. The highest weight gain (p < 0.05) was recorded in 400 mg/kg (4.02 ± 0.01 g) in comparison to ciprofloxacin (2.67 ± 0.00 g). There was significant increase (p < 0.05) in blood profiles, with the 400 mg/kg recording RBC of 8.57 ± 0.2510⁹/L, PCV of 51.00 ± 2.00 %, and Hb of 8.90 ± 0.85 g/dl. The ciprofloxacin-treated group had lower RBC (10.67 ± 0.15 ˣ10⁹/L) and WBC counts (5.07 ± 0.1510¹²/L) in comparison to the infected-untreated group. There was significant increased (p < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase in 200 mg/kg (0.26 ± 0.01 U/L) and 400 mg/kg (0.26 ± 0.02 U/L) in comparison to ciprofloxacin (0.22 ± 0.01 U/L). The malondialdehyde level was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in the infected/untreated group (46.66 ± 1.47nMol/L) in comparison to ciprofloxacin (19.06 ± 1.86nMol/L) and 400 mg/kg (16.35 ± 1.08nMol/L). Ficus abutilifolia extract significantly reduced bacterial load, improved hematological indices, and enhanced antioxidant response, suggesting a potential immune-modulatory effect. Given ciprofloxacin resistance concerns, Ficus abutilifolia may serve as a promising alternative in typhoid management.