Free Radical Scavenging, Antimicrobial Activities and Effect of Sub-Acute Exposure to Nigerian Xylopia aethiopica Seed Extract on Liver and Kidney Functional Indices of Albino Rat

Abstract

Background: Xylopia aethiopica is highly reputed for its numerous medicinal properties. In the present study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity profile of methanol seed extract of Nigerian X. aethiopica in rat were evaluated. Methods: Phytochemical compositions were evaluated using standard procedures. The antibacterial study was carried out using agar well diffusion method, while antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assay. Twenty-five rats (5 each) were given 0, 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract orally for 28 days. Results: The extract had total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of 15.98±0.03mg GAE/g and 2.29±0.02 mg/g CE respectively. The extract had IC50 values of 52.45±3.05 µg/mL and 73.45±3.89 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay respectively. The E. coli showed the highest susceptibility (20.27±0.90mm) while P. aeuruginisa showed the least (15.08±0.20mm). The MIC ranged from 25-50 µg/mL while MBC ranged between 50µg/mL and 100 µg/mL. In comparison with the control rats, the levels of serum creatinine, bicarbonate total proteins, albumin, and ALP were significantly higher in rat dosed 600 mg/kg bwt while urea decreases in rat dose 300 and 600 mg/kg. However, serum concentration of ALT, AST, bilirubin, Na+, K+ and Cl- compared favorably (P>0.05) with control at all doses. Conclusion: The study revealed the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Nigerian X. aethiopica, the extract at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/b.wt did not provoke toxic effects to the animals’ liver and kidney; however, caution should be exercised when using as a prolonged oral remedy at high doses.

Evaluation of the mineral composition, phytochemical and proximate constituents of three culinary spices in Nigeria: a comparative study

“…Phytochemical evaluation of the dried roots of Rhaphiostylis beninensis, dried seeds of Piper guineense and dried fruits of Xylopia aethiopica revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, saponins, Phytate, Oxalate, and tannins in varying concentrations (Table 2). The presence of the above phytochemicals in Xylopia aethiopica aligns with earlier reports 67,68 . However, the relative compositions of alkaloids (2.23%), flavonoids (4.04%), and saponins (0.28%) in the fruit extracts of X. aethiopica were higher than those of Uhegbu et al 69 : alkaloids (1.49%), flavonoids (0.22%) and saponins (0.18%).…”

Rutin‐Rich Flavonoid Subfraction of Annona senegalensis Mitigates Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infection and Hematobiochemical Changes in Infected Mice

“…The flavonoid fraction must have altered the hepatic functionality by compromising the balance in the synthesis, destruction, and clearance of the total protein from the animal's system. Previous findings have previously reported a corroborated finding [52,53]. The total protein increase could lead to system dehydration, and this is detrimental to homeostasis of the cell.…”

Effect of Hunteria umbellata Methanolic Seed Extracts on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Albino Rats

“…Hepatic impairment is one problem of diabetes mellitus, and it is obvious by elevation of these liver biomarkers, such as ALT, ALP, and AST activities, so an increase in these liver biomarkers will provide a reliable or good indicator of functional integrity of the liver as well as treatment outcome [44][45][46] in diabetes conditions. In this study, the elevated levels of ALT activities in diabetic untreated are a marker of plasma membrane and hepatic impairment, which will adversely prevent amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism and thus affect ATP production [46]. This observation of ALT and AST activities is an indication that diabetes selectively affects transaminase activities [47].…”