Immuno protective potential of Sida schimperiana chloroform root extract against E. coli 018: K1 induced peritonitis in albino Wistar rats

Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the in vivo immune protective potential of chloroform root extract of Sida schimperiana on E.coli 018: K1 induced peritonitis in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Acute toxicity of was performed by oral administration of S. schimperiana chloroform root extract (SSRCH) 5, 50, 300 and 2000mg/kg body of male albino Wistar and mortality was monitored for 14 days. Based on LD₅₀, 1/10th, 1/5th cut-off values of the (SSRCH) plant extract was selected as a dose for E. coli induced peritonitis in albino Wistar rats. Wistar rats were pre-treated with 200 and 400mg/kg/bwt of SSRCH and Standard antibiotic Ofloxacin 5mg/Kg body weight was given oraly for a period of 7 days. The dosing regimens were started on day-1, -2, -3, 0, 1, 2 and 3 relative to the day of challenge (day 0) with 2×10⁴ CFU of E. coli CFU/ml (i.p.) and mortality was monitored for 14 days. After the monitoring the mortality, the treated (Groups I-IV) rats were sacrificed, and assess the in vivo antibacterial activity of S. schimperiana chloroform root extract by determination of CFU/ml in peritoneal lavage fluid. Further SSRCH extract (400mg/kg bw) was analyzed by the neutrophil adhesion in Wistar rats for evaluated immunomodulatory activity. Results: In acute toxicity studies no mortality was observed for 24–48 hours. SSRCH extract 400mg (Group-IV) showed protection against E. coli induced peritonitis in albino Wistar rats by showing 60% survivability and also exhibited significantly increased percentage of neutrophils adhesion. i.e (25.74±2.351and 36.14±5.609) at 200 and 400mg/kg respectively. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the chloroform root extract of S. schimperiana had a significant amount of polyphenolic compounds and could serve as a potential source of natural antibacterial and Immunomodulatory agents for the development of therapeutic antibiotics with immunostimulatory activity in the treatment of intraperitoneal infections.