ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants can be used as a rich source of bioactive chemical constituents known as phytochemicals. However, some parts of these plants can be toxic due to the concentration of these phytochemicals present in them. This study was conducted to determine the phytochemical constituents and acute toxicity of the root of Telfairia Occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin). The roots of the Telfairia Occidentalis plant were air dried for 28 days before extraction was carried out by maceration using methanol as the extraction solvent. A portion of the crude extract was then screened for the presence of phytochemicals in the plant and the other part utilised for acute toxicity test in mice at different doses of 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000mg/kg body weight. Phytochemical screening results indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, glycosides, terpenoids and flavonoids. Animal groups indicated different symptoms like drowsiness, lethargy, body irritation and paw licking. These signs indicated that the methanol extract of pumpkin root possess some high level of toxicity.