Phytochemical Profiling and in-vivo assessment of Toxicity of Persea americana Seeds and Calotropis procera Roots in Rats

The phytochemical content and toxicity (mg/kg) of aqueous extracts of Calotropis procera and Persea americana, were evaluated. The roots of C. procera and seeds of P americana were powdered and percolated in water for 24 hours for aqueous extract. The toxicity was evaluated in two phases (I and II) according to Lorke's method. Twenty-six Wistar rats were divided into two supergroups for two plants. For each extract thirteen rats were divided into, nine rats for phase I and the remaining four for phase II tests. In phase I, nine rats were placed into three groups, each of three ratsandadministered with 10,100, and 1000mg/kg of the extract. In phase II, the remaining four rats were each administered with 2000, 4000, 8000, and 16000mg/kg of the extract respectively. Results showed that the plant samples after a maximum equivalent dose of 16000mg/kg were relatively harmless. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous seed and root extract showed the presence of flavonoids, cardiac glycoside and absence of tannins, alkaloids and saponins in Calotropis procera while resin was absent in both extracts. In conclusion the aqueous seed of P americana and root of C. procera may be relatively safe and the acclaimed medicinal property associated with these plants may be due to the presence of this particular phytochemical.