Abstract
Pyrenacantha staudtii Hutch and Dalz (Icacinaceae) is a medicinal plant used traditionally in Nigeria and known to contain a variety of beneficial properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, anticonvulsant, anticancer, antidiarrheal properties. This study aimed to determine the phytochemicals present, ascertain its antioxidant activity and to evaluate its sub chronic toxic effect on lipid profile of albino Wistar rats. About 650 g of powdered Pyrenacantha staudtii (leaves) sample was macerated with 2.5L of 99.8% Methanol for 72 hrs. Qualitative Phytochemical investigation, Total antioxidant capacity and sub chronic toxicity studies were carried out using established standard methods.
The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates and reducing sugars. The methanol leaf extract displayed strong inhibitory effect with a 41.30% scavenging activity. The sub chronic toxicity screening on lipid profile showed there was no statistical difference found among the groups (p value > 0.05). However, the, extract interfered with Lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL. Therefore, the plant has important phytochemicals which may be responsible for its high antioxidant activity and thus suggests that lower doses may be beneficial for individuals that may have cardiovascular illness associated with hyperlipidemia, while higher doses could worsen cardiovascular illness.
