We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Phytochemical and Toxicological effect of Alkaloid Fraction of Fresh Ripe Fruit of Dennettia tripetala (Pepper fruit) in Albino Rats.
- Authors
Salawu, K.; Njoku, O. U.; Ogugua, V. N.
- Abstract
Toxicological effect of the alkaloid fraction from Dennettia tripetala (pepper fruit) was studied using albino rat model. The result of phytochemical study showed the presence of alkaloids (4.8%), saponins (0.8%), flavonoids (3.6%), and tannins (1.2%). The median lethal dose of the alkaloid fraction showed no mortality or sign of toxicity at a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight in mice. In the sub-acute toxicity, there was significant (p < 0.05) increase in percentage body weight of the treated rats compared to that of the control group after 28 days of oral administration of the alkaloid fraction, and there was also significant (p < 0.05) difference in relative organs body weight in liver, kidney, heart and spleen of the treated rats. There were elevations in levels of aspartate aminotransaminase, alanine aminotransaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities in groups 4, 5 and 6 animals treated with 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg of the fraction on days 14 and 28 (p < 0.05). There were significant (p < 0.05) decrease in total protein, albumin and potassium ion, while the creatinine, urea, bilirubin and sodium ion concentrations significantly (p < 0.05) increase in animals treated with high concentration of the fraction at both 14 and 28 days compared with the control group. The concentration of malondialdehyde showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in groups 4, 5 and 6 rats at days 14 and 28 compared with the control. There were observed changes in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase on days 14 and 28 in all the treated groups. Vitamin C showed decrease on day 14 but showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 animals on day 28. The levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and vitamin E were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 on days 14 and 28 compared to the control. There were increases in the serum phospholipid, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoproteins concentrations in all the test animals compared to the control after 14 and 28 days. There was also no significant (p > 0.05) decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein across the treated groups compared to the control. Tissues of liver and kidney from group 3, 4, 5 and 6 animals showed histological changes consistent with hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. From the results of this study, there is compelling evidence that alkaloid fraction from this fruit might be safe when used as an oral remedy at doses below 100 mg/kg as it has the potentials of being hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and might result in death of animals at doses above 200 mg/kg concentrations when administered for longer period.
- Subjects
PHYTOCHEMICALS; ALKALOIDS; VITAMIN E; LOW density lipoproteins; FRUIT; GLUTATHIONE peroxidase; POTASSIUM ions; HIGH density lipoproteins
- Publication
Current Trends in Biotechnology & Pharmacy, 2020, p38
- ISSN
0973-8916
- Publication type
Article