In-vitro antioxidant, GCMS analysis, and preliminary toxicological evaluation of aqueous seed extract of Adansonia digitata L.

Abstract

Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) is an African medicinal plant known for its nutritional value. The seed of A. digitata is used as a thickening agent in soups, a flavoring agent, or roasted as snacks and as anti-diabetics. Toxicity evaluation of medicinal plants and plant products is important in determining the  required dosage and observing clinical signs related to the compounds. This study investigated the in-vitro antioxidant and toxicological effects of  aqueous seed extract of A. digitata. The aqueous seed extract of A. digitata expressed invitro antioxidant activities at 0.2-1.0 mg/mL with 2, 2-diphenyl-  1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 0.14±0.00 mg/mL), total antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ = 0.23±0.01 mg/mL), nitric oxide scavenging  activity (IC₅₀ = 0.85±0.15 mg/mL), and hydrogen peroxide decomposing activity (IC₅₀ = 0.17±0.03 mg/mL). No mouse death was recorded in the , and  the LD was found to be above 5000 mg/kg body 50 weight. The administration of aqueous seed extract of A. digitata at 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight  did not cause any alteration in lipid profile, plasma total protein, liver total cholesterol, liver triacylglycerol, and liver total protein. However, plasma  triacylglycerol and total protein increased at 500 mg/kg body weight compared with the control group after 14 days of administration. The extract did not  significantly alter coronary, cardiac, and atherogenic indices, but at 500 mg/kg body weight, cardiac indices significantly decreased. Furthermore, no  significant (P>0.05) alterations were observed in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in plasma  and liver after 14 days of administration except at 1000 mg/kg body weight treatment in aspartate aminotransferase. The study concluded that the  aqueous seed extract of A. digitata possesses in-vitro antioxidant properties and is safe at the doses and duration tested.