Common Plants Used in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever, their Active Components and Toxicity Related Issues: A Review

Abstract

Plants and their extracts are a primary source of health care in most communities. The usage of plants in treating diseases has been observed in ancient times and is still applicable today. Plant extracts are used due to their easy availability and affordability. Some of these extracts are sold locally in markets, while others are manufactured and used in household settings. Most often, the producers of these extracts do not show proof of safety and efficacy before marketing these products. Consequently, the adverse effects and the downside following the consumption of these products remain unknown. Moreover, plant extracts are not regulated for purity and potency. Impurities present and the potency of the plant products might also contribute significantly to adverse effects following consumption. Typhoid fever has been one of the diseases in which most developing countries, especially in Africa, resort to using traditional methods involving plant extracts in its treatment. Various research has documented the antityphoid activity of these extracts based on the zone of inhibition against the pathogen. There is, however, a scarcity of information on the bioactive components possessed by these plants. This paper reviews the common plants used to treat typhoid fever, their active components and health risk following their indiscriminate usage. The review is composed of a literature search on herbal plants for typhoid fever obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Knowledge of the active components in these plants will help to standardize the safe dose needed to treat this disease effectively