EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND SUBCHRONIC TOXICITY STUDIES OF LEAVES EXTRACT OF Pyrenacantha staudtii (ICACINAECEA) ON RENAL MARKERS

ABSTRACT

Pyrenacantha staudtii (Hutch and Dalz) of the family Icacinaceae is a medicinal plant used traditionally in Nigeria to treat variety of ailments such as; inflammation, convulsion, and threatened abortion, hence this study. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Assay and sub- chronic toxicity studies of Pyrenacantha staudtii (Icacinaecea) Hutch and Dalz on renal markers. Powdered Pyrenacantha staudtii leaves sample was macerated with 2000 mL of methanol for 72 hours. Qualitative Phytochemical investigation was carried out using established standard method and the antioxidant activity using DPPH assay was examined. Sub chronic toxicity was assayed with wistar rats (120g -200g).The rats were randomly grouped into four groups and were administered the extract daily at different doses, 28 days later they were sacrificed under chloroform anesthesia and blood were obtained for biochemical analysis. The result obtained showed that there was presence of Alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates and reducing sugars. The leaf extracts assessed for its antioxidant activity displayed a high inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.20µg/ml scavenging activity. The sub-chronic toxicity of Pyrenacantha staudtii leaf extract showed that there was no significant difference. However Urea levels decreased at 50mg/kg and further at 200 mg/kg. Creatinine showed reduction only at 100 mg/kg. Chlorine, sodium, carbonate, and potassium remained unchanged. The data suggest that the leaves extract of Pyrenacantha staudtii contains bioactive constituent with good antioxidant activity. And through sub-chronic toxicity studies it also revealed the potential for renal protection.