Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Safety Evaluation of Hura crepitans (L.) Stem Bark Hydroethanolic Extract in Animals

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Medicinal plants have become popular in the search ofa cure for various hepatopathies with a considerable number of herbal products being used for the management of liver ailments. However, most, including Hura crepitans (HC), have not been toxicologically evaluated. The present study was aimed at determining the phytoconstituents of HC, their antioxidant potentials and safety in animals. Place and Duration: The study was performed at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST, Kumasi and subacute toxicity studies lasted for 14 days. Materials and Methods: Hydroethanolic extracts and fractions of the leaves and stem back of HC were assessed for their phytochemical constituent,DPPH and FRAP scavenging activities and total phenolic and total flavonoid content. The acute and sub acute oral toxicity of the hydroethanolic stem back of HCin animals was evaluated using standard methods to establish the LD50, effect on weight, haematological and biochemical parameters.Phytochemical characterization was achieved using standard methods. Results: The study showed that HC contained tannins, saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, glycosides, and triterpenoids. The hydroethanolic extract of the stem bark (EES) showed the greatest antioxidant potential. The LD50 estimate of the hydroethanolic extract of stem back was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight/oral route, while the doses used in this study up to 1000 mg/kg body weight/oral route was safe. The extract generally did not cause any significant decrease in the weight of animals nor were there significant differences in relative organ weights in treated animals compared to the normal group. Haematology, liver function, kidney function, and serum electrolyte parameters were within the normal ranges in treated animals when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that oral administration of hydroethanolic extract of Hura crepitansin animals up to 1000 mg/kg body weight is considered safe as it causes no significant derangement in clinical and haemato-biochemical parameters measured.