Evaluation of Acute Toxicity and Phytochemical Analysis of Gliricidia sepium and Xylopia aethiopica Extracts

Abstract

Objectives: Gliricidia sepium and Xylopia aethiopica are frequently utilized in traditional medicine in Ivory Coast. To mitigate potential risks associated with their uninformed use, it is crucial to assess their safety levels. This study was aimed at evaluating the acute toxicity and analyzing the phytochemicals in ethanolic extracts of Gliricidia sepium leaf and Xylopia aethiopica fruit. Materials and Methods: Triphytochemistry was carried out using staining and precipitation methods. While the Metabolite determinations were conducted via spectrophotometry. The assessment of acute toxicity followed the OECD protocol 423, employing female rats of the Wistar strain. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed that Ethanolic extracts of  Xylopia aethiopica fruit (XAF)  contains 7.72% polyphenols, 4.09% alkaloids, 0.34% tannins, 0.12% saponins, and 0.001% terpenoids. In comparison, Gliricidia sepium leaf (GSL) exhibited levels of 7.49% polyphenols, 3.41% alkaloids, 0.47% tannins, 0.01% saponins, and 0.51% terpenoids. The acute toxicity study demonstrated the absence of mortality and major toxicity issues at maximum doses of 5000 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion: Ethanolic extracts of XAF and GSL, do not exhibit any acute toxic effect and they both contain some phytochemicals. This validates the frequent utilization and provides assurance to communities usings these plants.