Proximate Analysis, Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Acute and Sub‐chronic Toxicity of Methanol Extract of Ficus exasperata

Abstract

Herbal medicines are the most common available healthcare remedy in most African nations. The use of medicinal plants dated back to centuries ago due to their easy availability. Ficus exasperata is an ethno‐medicinal herb used in Nigeria. The medicinal properties are known to be attributed to the presence of some nutritional and bioactive components. Their use as analgesics, diuretics and anti‐microbial prompted this investigation. This study evaluates the nutritional and phyto‐chemical content, as well as the safety of the methanol extract of Ficus exasperata leaves on albino wistar rats. Proximate analysis and phytochemical screening were conducted using standard methods. GC‐MS analysis was further used to profile small and volatile compounds. The acute and sub‐chronic toxicity study was performed using the modified Lorke’s method. The acute toxicity study was observed for 7 days for any sign of toxicity and mortality while the sub‐chronic toxicity study was observed for 28 days after which some hematological and biochemical parameters were determined. The result from proximate or nutritional analysis showed that nitrogen free extract (39.13±0.09) was highest followed by crude protein (27.13±0.09), ash content (12.50± 0.13), moisture content (8.25±0.17), ether extract (8.00±0.08) and crude fiber (5.00±0.10). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites: saponins, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids and anthocyanins. The GC‐MS analysis revealed the presence of the following phyto‐compounds: Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 9‐Octadecenoic acid, Methyl stearate, 7‐Octadecenoic acid methyl ester and Oleic Acid. The acute toxicity study showed that the methanol extract of Ficus exasperata leaves is safe even at the highest dose tested (5000 mg/kg body weight). No behavioral changes and gross pathological abnormalities were observed. The sub‐chronic toxicity study at the extract doses of 200, 250 and 500mg/kg body weight showed no observed changes in the extract treated animal’s body weight, behaviour and mental alertness with no mortality recorded. The levels of white blood cells (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), platelets, monocyte and granulocyte were not significantly altered, whereas a significant change (p< 0.05) of lymphocyte count was observed in treatment groups compared to the control group. There was no significant change in the levels of serum concentration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine and urea. These preliminary results suggest that the methanolic leaf extract of Ficus exasperata contained both nutritional and bioactive substances and was not likely to produce severe toxicological effects on biological system when administered at normal therapeutic doses.Support or Funding InformationSelf