PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF SOME PLANT PREPARATIONS HAVING POTENTIAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF TYPHOID FEVER

Abstract

Study of the microbiological quality of selected herbal preparation used in the treatment of
typhoid fever sold in Gombe metropolis, Gombe State was conducted with a view to determine
their anti-typhoid activity. Five (5) herbal preparations were selected and tested namely; Medbunch,
Al-muwafaqa, Mau’shifa, Yellow cassia, and Addawau’l humma and compare with the
standard drug Ciprofloxacin which is commonly used for the treatment of typhoid. Disc
diffusion method was used for the determination of antibacterial activity of the herbs. Results
of phytochemical screening revealed that all the preparations contain most of the secondary
metabolites namely Alkaloid, Flavonoid, Tannins, Glycosides, Anthraquinone, Saponins and
Steroid). Med-bunch has the highest quantity of alkaloids followed by Al-muwwafaqa and
Yellow cassia. Result of antibacterial test reveal that Addawa’ul humma exhibit the highest
anti Salmonella activity at a concentration of 100%, followed by Yellow cassia extract.
Addawa’ul humma has the highest concentration of phosphate and sulphate of 0.72 mg/kg and
0.2 mg/kg respectively while Al-mufaqa has the least amount 0.09 mg/kg and 1.09 mg/kg).
Result of this study advocate for further validation of the potential use of these preparations in
the treatment of typhoid giving more priority to dosage and purity.