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Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter June 12, 2013

Phytochemical screening and toxicity studies on the methanol extract of the seeds of moringa oleifera

  • Temitayo Olabisi Ajibade EMAIL logo , Ruben Arowolo and Funsho Olakitike Olayemi

Abstract: The seeds of Moringa oleifera were collected, air-dried, pulverized, and subjected to cold extraction with methanol. The methanol extract was screened phytochemically for its chemical components and used for acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in rats. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and cardiac glycosides but the absence of anthraquinones. Although signs of acute toxicity were observed at a dose of 4,000 mg kg1 in the acute toxicity test, and mortality was recorded at 5,000 mg kg1, no adverse effect was observed at concentrations lower than 3,000 mg kg1. The median lethal dose of the extract in rat was 3,873 mg kg1. Sub-acute administration of the seed extract caused significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of alanine and aspartate transferases (ALT and AST), and significant (p<0.05) decrease in weight of experimental rats, at 1,600 mg kg1. The study concludes that the extract of seeds of M. oleifera is safe both for medicinal and nutritional uses.

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Received: 2012-04-06
Accepted: 2012-11-20
Published Online: 2013-06-12

©2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin / Boston

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