Phytochemical Screening and Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Extract of Leaves of Conocarpus erectus Linnaeus in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Mangroves represent areas of high biological productivity and it is a region rich in bioactive substances used in medicine production. Conocarpus erectus (Combretaceae) known as button mangrove is one of the species found in mangroves and it is used in folk medicine in the treatment of anemia, catarrh, conjunctivitis, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, gonorrhea, headache, hemorrhage, orchitis, rash, bumps and syphilis. The present study aimed to investigate the acute toxicity of aqueous extract of leaves of C. erectus in Swiss albino mice. The plant material was collected in Vila Velha mangroves, located in Itamaracá (PE). The material was subjected to a phytochemical screening where extractive protocols to identify majority molecules present in leaves were used. The evaluation of acute toxicity of aqueous extract of C. erectus followed the model of Acute Toxicity Class based on OECD 423 Guideline, 2001. The majority molecules were identified: flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The LD 50 was estimated at 2,000 mg/kg bw. Therefore, the aqueous extract showed low acute toxicity classified in category 5.

Evaluation of cytotoxic, immunomodulatory and antibacterial activities of aqueous extract from leaves ofConocarpus erectusLinnaeus (Combretaceae)

“…A previous phytochemical study identified flavonoids, saponins and tannins in an aqueous extract of C. erectus leaves . High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of ethyl acetate and n‐butanol extracts of leaves, stem, flowers and fruits of C. erectus revealed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, apigenin, quercetin, quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐glucoside, rutin and quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside‐6‐O‐gallic acid…”

“…Toxicological evaluation of an aqueous extract of C. erectus leaves in Swiss Albino mice classified the extract as low toxic with median lethal dose (LD 50 ) estimated at 2000 mg/kg body weight . Abdel‐Hameed et al .…”

“…erectus (Combretaceae), popularly known as mangrove button, is found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. [4] It is native to the coastal areas of Africa and widespread in the southern coast of Florida, Bahamas, West Indies, Mexico, Central America and Gal apagos Islands. In South America, is present since Ecuador until Brazil.…”

“…[13] A previous phytochemical study identified flavonoids, saponins and tannins in an aqueous extract of C. erectus leaves. [4] High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of leaves, stem, flowers and fruits of C. erectus revealed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, apigenin, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, rutin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside-6-O-gallic acid. [8] Toxicological evaluation of an aqueous extract of C. erectus leaves in Swiss Albino mice classified the extract as low toxic with median lethal dose (LD 50 ) estimated at 2000 mg/kg body weight.…”

“…[8] Toxicological evaluation of an aqueous extract of C. erectus leaves in Swiss Albino mice classified the extract as low toxic with median lethal dose (LD 50 ) estimated at 2000 mg/kg body weight. [4] Abdel-Hameed et al [12] reported that methanol extracts of the leaves, stem, flowers and fruits did not cause death of Swiss albino mice post 24 h of treatment. This low acute toxicity of C. erectus extracts reinforces the medicinal importance of the plant and stimulates more studies concerning its biomedical and pharmacological potential.…”