Phytochemical profiling, acute toxicity and haemostatic effects of methanol leaf extract of Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae)

Abstract

Acanthus montanus leaf is used in African trado-medicine as a haemostatic agent, which could be ascribed to its bioactive principles. This study evaluated phytoconstituents and haemostatic potential of Acanthus montanus methanol leaf extract in albino Wistar rats, as well as acute toxicity in mice. Methanol extract of Acanthus montanus was analysed for phytochemicals by standard protocol and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Acute toxicity was determined using established method, while the haemostatic parameters were determined using tail bleeding time and blood clotting time in albino Wistar rats at 200, 400 and 800 mg /kg b.w.; administered by gavage once daily for nine days. Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and steroids were inferred from the
phytochemical screening. Nineteen phytoconstituents were identified and quantified via HPLC, with catechin and rutin showing documented evidence of haemostatic effect. Acanthus montanus was considered safe since no death or change in behaviour was observed at maximum dose of 5000 mg/kg b w. A significantly dose dependent decrease (P<0.001) in clotting and bleeding time was noted across the groups. The 800 mg/kg treated group was comparable to vitamin K (10mg/kg b w) treated group. This reaffirms the traditional use of Acanthus montanus leaf as haemostatic agent.