Phytochemical Screening and Acute Oral Toxicity Studies of Seeds of Hyptis Suaveolens and Fruits of Coccinia Grandis.

Abstract

Hyptis suaveolens, a member of the Lamiaceae family, is traditionally used as a carminative and an expectorant. It is also found to haveanti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer potential. Coccinia grandis, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is found to be anti-helminthic,antioxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antifungal, antitussive and hypoglycemic in different animal models.The objective of the present study is intended to focus on the phytochemical evaluation of Hyptis suaveolens seeds and Coccinia grandis fruits andto study their toxic effects by acute oral toxicity study and establish the safety category of these extracts as per organization for economiccooperation and development (OECD-TG-423) guidelines and GHS classification system. Hyptis suaveolens seeds, and Coccinia grandis fruits werecollected, and the extraction was made and stored for phytochemical analysis. The extract was tested for phytochemical constituents like alkaloids,phenol, flavonoids, carbohydrates, triterpenes, sterols, saponins, and tannins. In an acute oral toxicity study, the hydroalcoholic extracts of bothplants were administered orally at a dose of 2000mg/Kg b.w. to the three rats in each group in Step I of the individual group. They were observedfor 48 hrs and followed for 14 days (step II). They were examined for sensory, physiological, and behavioral parameters and signs of toxicity andmortality. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of many pharmacologically active constituents, and the acute oral toxicity study showedno changes in physical, sensory, physiological, or behavioral parameters, with all animals remaining healthy and active. There were no signs ofmortality or moribund status in both step I and II. The results indicate that the hydroalcoholic extracts of Hyptis suaveolens seeds and Cocciniagrandis fruits fall under category '5' or 'unclassified' of the GHS system, allowing them to be used safely in pharmaceutical formulations fortherapeutic use.