Phytochemical composition, acute toxicity and lipid profile of the methanol leaf extract of Piliostigma Thonningii (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Cardiac complications and diseases constitute a major cause of death, globally. Piliostigma thonningii has been claimed to be ethnomedicinally relevant for the treatment of heart pains among others. It is against this background that the phytochemical composition, oral acute toxicity and the effect of the methanol leaf extract on the lipid profile of physiologically normal rats, were investigated using established procedures. Results confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, reducing sugars, saponin, steroid, phenolics and tannins. While the extract in a dose - dependent manner caused a significant decrease in the total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in the treated rats when compared to the control group. The HDL/LDL ratio in all the treated groups was significantly higher than that of the control group signalling the usefulness of the plant extract in the prophylactic and curative management of lipid peroxidation, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disorders. There was no mortality at 2 g/kg p.o after 24 hours and no sign of delayed toxicity or mortality after 14 days of observation.

Keywords: Antilipidemia, Phytochemical, Piliostigma thonningii, Toxicity