Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, antiulcer and toxicity studies on Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC Fabaceae leaf and stem

Gloria A Ayoola, Samuel O Eze, Oluwatosin O Johnson , David K Adeyemi

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy. University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria;

For correspondence:- Oluwatosin Johnson Email: tosyn.villa@gmail.com Tel:+2348033708829

Accepted: 21 June 2018 Published: 28 July 2018

Citation: Ayoola GA, Eze SO, Johnson OO, Adeyemi DK. Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, antiulcer and toxicity studies on Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC Fabaceae leaf and stem. Trop J Pharm Res 2018; 17(7):1301-1307 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i7.11

© 2018 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To assess the phytochemical profile, toxicity, as well as the antioxidant, and antiulcer activities of the methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens stem and leaf.

Methods: Maceration procedure was employed in the preparation of the methanol extracts. Phytochemical characterization of the extracts was carried out according to standard methods. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryhyldrazy (DPPH l) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Antiulcer activity was investigated using ethanol-induced ulcer model, while toxicity was assessed by observing the mice for mortality.

Results: Phytochemical analysis indicate the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins in the stem and leaf. Methanol extracts of the plant exhibited antioxidant activity, with DPPH assay results showing median inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 87.59 (leaf), 108.87 (stem), 28.52 (alpha-tocopherol), and 5.05 µg/mL (ascorbic acid). The FRAP assay results for the stem and leaf extracts were 1483 and 1953 µM Fe²⁺/g dry plant, respectively, while for ascorbic acid it was 3463 µMFe²⁺/g. The extracts showed significant antiulcer activity, with 14.27 and 15.18 % ulceration inhibition for the leaf extract, and 12.31 and 13.36 % for the stem extract at administered doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Cimetidine and omeprazole (standards) showed ulceration inhibition of 5.53, and 8.26 % at 5.7 and 0.57 mg/kg doses, respectively.

Conclusion: The methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens stem and leaf offer significant protective activity against ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats, and the activity may be related to their antioxidant effect.

Keywords: Antioxidant, Antiulcer, Toxicity, Desmodium adscendens