Abstract
Phyllanthus amarus is a commonly known weed used for the traditional treatment of several aliment. In the present study, phytochemical screening and toxicological profile of methanol and aqueous extracts of P. amarus were investigated. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis were carried out using standard procedures. Sub-acute toxicity was carried out by oral administration of the aqueous extract at 300 and 600ml/kg for 14days. Biochemical parameters including aspartate amino tranferases (AST), alanine amino transfereas, (ALT), alkaline phosphates (ALP) albumin, total protein and albumin were investigated. The results obtained showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannin, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and steroids in both extracts. Quantitatively, alkaloids (0.56±0.01 and 0.56±0.00 mg/g) were the most abundant phytochemical while phenol (0.09±0.01 and 0.07±0.01 mg/g) was the least abundant in both extracts. The concentrations of total proteins were significantly (p0.05) altered when compared with the control values. Methanol and aqueous extracts of P. amarus contains important phytochemicals with therapeutic reputations. The extract was also found not to have adverse/toxic effect on liver integrity at doses of up-to 600 mg/kg bw in rats.
Highlights
Natural products are important sources of bioactive metabolite with varied structural and therapeutic effect [1]
The concentrations of total proteins were significantly (p
The present study revealed the presence of various important medicinal phytochemicals in aqueous and methanol leaves extract leaf extract of P. amarus
Summary
Natural products are important sources of bioactive metabolite with varied structural and therapeutic effect [1]. Phyllanthus amarus is a flowering plant of family Phyllanthaceae. It is highly distributed in most tropical and subtropical countries. Previous phytochemical study of P. amarus confirmed the presence of bioactive metabolites including phyllantine, hypophyllantine alkaloids and flavonoids like quercetin, with diverse therapeutic values [5]. It is Corresponding author E-mail address: Umar et al / GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2019, 08(01), 128–133 commonly used in folk medicine for treatment of several diseases including hepatitis, malaria, fever, diabetes, stomach upset, cold anaemia, ecz ema , jaundice and as a remedy for blood disorders [6]
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