Phytoconstituents, nutritional, antioxidant and toxicological study on Cissus multistriata plant extract

Phytochemical analysis of Cissus multistriata leaves revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, cardiotonic glycosides, and carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, fats, minerals as well as glyconutrients such as xylose, galactose, fucose, mannose and glucose. These were detected using standard procedures [1 – 4]. Molish and Biuret tests were used to identify carbohydrate and protein contents. The mineral elements were determined by means of atomic absorption/flame emission spectrophotometer, AA680 Shimadzu. Administering doses of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mg/kg to albino rats for 21 days resulted in statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight assessing the nutritional potential of the leaves. The lipoprotein profiles decreased when increasing the dosage of the extract, except for (HDL-cholesterol) that showed the opposite effect. Protein profiles and glucose levels also increased when compared with the standard bovine serum albumin. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide radical scavenging activities were used to determine the antioxidant ability of the methanolic extract of the leaf, stem, unripe and ripe fruit. The unripe fruit exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging effect with IC50 0.69 µg/ml in comparison with the standard quercetin (IC50 = 166.50 µg/ml). Cytotoxicity of the aqueous and chloroform extracts of the leaves, stem, ripe, and unripe fruit on brine shrimps assay (Artemia salina) (IC50 = 512.53, 666.98, 285.01, and 501.47 respectively) was low compared with standard toxic potassium dichromate (IC50 = 44.20). The study indicates that Cissus multistriata could be a safe dietary source of natural antioxidant and nutrients.

Acknowledgement: Dr Friday Titus Emmanuel is acknowledged for his technical assistance.

Keywords: Cissus multistriata, Artemia salina, antioxidant, cytoxicity, DPPH.

References:

[1] Brian F, Anthony JH. Vogel's textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry, London Publishers, Singapore 1989; 1224 – 1305

[2] Odebiyi OO, Sofowora EA. Phytochemical Screening of Nigerian Medicinal plants part ii, Llyodia Lii, 1978; 234 – 235

[3] Sofowora A. Medicinal plants and traditional medicine in Africa. John Wiley and Sons Limited, Chichester 1982; 142 – 146

[4] AOAC. Official method of Analysis of the Association of Analytical Chemists 1980; 1 – 30