Evaluation of berries of Phytolacca dodecandra for growth inhibition of Histoplasma capsulatum var.farciminosum and treatment of cases of epizootic lymphangitis in Ethiopia

Objective:To evaluate the berries of Phytolacca dodecundra(P.dodecandra) for its effect on Histoplasma cupsulatum var.farciminosum(HCF) and for the treatment of cases of epizootic lymphangitis(ELi.Methods:Samples were collected from un-ruptured nodules of cases of EL at Debre Zeit and Akaki(central Ethiopia).Mycologieal culture and isolation of HCF were performed at the Akliln Lemma Institute of Pathobiology.Phytochemical screening was done for n-butanol extract of P.dodecandra to delect alkaloids,saponins,phenolic compounds and flavonoids.The minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations(MFCs) ol aqueous and n-butanol extracts of P.dodecandra against FICF were determined by agar dilution assay.For the in vivo trial.5%simple ointment was prepared from n-butanol extract and applied topically to 24(twelve early and twelve moderate) cases of F.L.Results:Phytochemical screening showed that n-butanol extract ol P.dodecandra was positive lor alkaloids.saponins and phenolic compounds but negative for flavonoids.The MFCs of n-butanol and aqueous extracts of P.dodecandra were(0.039%-0.078%) and(0.625%-1.250%),respectively.The MFCs of n-butanol and aqueous extracts of P.dodecandra were(0.078%t-0.156%)and(1.250%-2.500%),respectively.The MIC and MFC of ketoconazole(positive control) was(1.200×10^(-5)%-2.500×10^(-5)%) and(5.000× 10^(-5)%-1.000×10^(-4)%),respectively while growth was observed on free medium(negative control).From the total of 24 treated cases of EL,14(58.3%) responded lo treatment;however,10(41.7%) did not respond to treatment.There was no significant difference in the degree of response to treatment between early and moderate cases(χ~2=0.086:P=0.408.Conclusions:It can be concluded that n-butanol extract of P.dodecandra demonstrates antifungal effects while the aqueous extract shows no antifungal activity.