Antisalmonellal Properties And Acute Toxicity Study Of
Erythrina Klainei Pierre (Fabaceae) Bark Extracts And Fractions
 

Donatien Gatsing^1*, Pépin E. A. Nkeng²,
Jules-Roger Kuiate¹, Godwin I. Adoga^3
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang,
P.O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
³Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, PMB 2084 Jos, Nigeria.

The antimicrobial activity of three extracts and four fractions prepared from the stem bark of Erythrina klainei was evaluated against Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A and Salmonella paratyphi B, using both agar diffusion and broth dilution techniques. Also, the phytochemical screening and the acute toxicity study were performed using standard methods. Results showed that aqueous extract exhibited very weak antimicrobial activities against S. typhi and S. paratyphi A, whereas palm wine extract showed strong activities against these two bacteria. Ethanolic extract showed the strongest activity against these two bacteria. Alkaloid fraction, the only active fraction, exhibited very strong activities against these two bacteria. S. paratyphi B was not sensitive to the extracts used. Alkaloids, polyphenols, triterpenes, steroids, saponins and tannins were present in the bark of Erythrina klainei. Mice administered the extract exhibited an increased reactivity, an increased reaction to noise and a reduced reaction to pinch. LD₅₀ for both male and female mice was greater than 32 g/kg. These data suggest that the bark of Erythrina klainei contains antisalmonellal principle(s) which may belong to the class of alkaloids. The extract is practically non toxic. However, it may directly or indirectly excite the central nervous system, and may also decrease the biosynthesis of algogenic substances.