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Physico-Chemical and Toxicological Studies on Xylopia Aethropica Leaves

L. N. Obasi and A. Ibezim

The leaves of Xylopia aethiopica widely used in ethno-medicine were studied. The hexane extract (HE), methanol extract (ME), methanol-water extract (MWE) and distilled water extract (DWE) of X. aethiopica were subjected to phytochemical and toxicity screening. Results showed that flavonoids and tannins were present only in the HE and ME. However; the ME, MWE and DWE were containing alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, carbohydrates and resins while neither proteins nor oils were not detected in any of the solvent extracts. Furthermore, although all the extracts had results, which were higher than the control in varying amounts, that of HE and ME showed quite potent toxic activity against the tested organs at 400 mg/Kg body weight and 0.81 mL of extracts. Altogether, the study suggests that the solvent extracts of X. aethiopica may serve as source for compounds with therapeutic potentials and dietary energy. The study therefore, prompts further investigations, including anti-microbial screening to harness the possible potential use of X. aethiopica from Owerri-North-Nigeria either as drug, food or pharmafood.