ABSTRACT
Phytochemical analysis of plant extract and determination of acute toxicity is a necessity, this is because, plants extracts have been used in herbal medicine, hence, the LD50, dosage of such plants used by trado medical doctors, needs to be determined and also the various, phytochemicals present in such plants, indicating medicinal value. This study was carried out in three phases; Extraction, identification of active compounds and acute toxicity study. Matured leaves of Anthocleista djalonesis collected dried, pulverized and extracted via maceration. The plant extract, was then used for the qualitative phytochemical screening using sofoward et al method, acute toxicity was carried out according to lorke’s method, to determine lethal dose of the extract. A total of 30 albino wistar rat was used for the acute toxicity and were divided into six (6) groups of 5 rats each and treated in graded concentration of 10,100,1000mg/kg in phase 1 and 1500,2500, 2900 and 5000mg/kg body weight in phase 2. Group 1 was considered as control group and LD50 which is the dose that causes death in 50% of the population was often determined. The abnormal or morbid behavior changes was looked out for such as bleeding, writhing, vomiting, death etc. there was no death recorded, after 72 hours of observation. Which implies that at this doses, 10, 100,1000,1500, 2500, 2900 and 5000mg/kg body weight of the animals. The plant was considered safe at these doses and can be used as an effective medicinal herbs by herbal practictioners, due to the presence of the phytochemicals.
