In-Vivo Acute Toxicity Test of Bioactive Phytochemicals In locally used Mango and Soursop Leaves using Laboratory Mice

The consumption of plant-based herbal formulations have been on the increase in recent times,  due to their medicinal properties, however, the identification, isolation and characterization of their bioactive constituents for specific health therapy and their safety have remained an issue of concern. This research identified, isolated and characterized succinic acid from saponin fraction of Mangifera indica (mango leaf SPEM) and hexamethyl cyclotrisiloxane from flavonoid fraction of Annona muricata (soursop leaf SPES). Cold maceration was used for extraction with ethanol as the solvent. GCMS of the samples mass spectra was analysed and gravimetric methods used for the extraction of the bioactive constituents. Results from screening of both leaf samples revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids and saponins. Quantitative analysis of crude ethanolic extract yielded 15.15% and 20.60% respectively for mango leaf and soursop leaves. The selected phytochemicals for both samples yielded high for flavonoids and saponin, followed by phenol and tannin then alkaloids and terpenoids that gave the least yield. Succinic Acid and Hexamethyl Cyclotrisiloxane were selected respectively as the predominant organic compounds, isolated and administered in two phases to a group of randomly distributed mice for acute toxicity test (LD₅₀). The first phase involved the oral administration of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, and 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg body weight of the extracts. Results showed that the saponin fractions of SPEM (Succinic Acid) were found to be non-toxic at doses ≤ 1000 mg/kg b.w (body weight) while the flavonoid fraction of SPES (Hexamethyl Cyclotrisiloxane) was non-toxic at doses ≤ 5000 mg/kg b.w. We conclude therefore, that both phytochemicals are safe for oral administration at low doses of about ≤ 1000 mg/kg b.w.