2024, Vol. 12, Issue 1, Part A

author(s)
Laz-Okenwa JOA, Amah-Tariah FS and Ojeka SO

abstract
Prior to in depth explorations of therapeutic potentials of medicinal plants and products, the focus should be on detailed screening and identification of their active ingredients. Consequently the present study evaluated the phytochemical/active ingredients composition of the hydroethanol extract of the fruit pulp of Azanza garckeana (Az-garck) and its toxicity profile. The plant belongs to the Malvaceae family and is commonly called Gorontula in Nigeria and snot apple/wild hibiscus in English. The plant is said to possess numerous dietary and medicinal attributes. Crude extraction of the plant’s fruit pulp using hydro-ethanol (30:70 v/v) as solvent was done. The phytochemical properties of the plant extract was ascertained by qualitative phytochemical screening using standard test methods. Further, the gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the extract was also done using GC Clarius 500 Perkin Elmer analyzer. And lastly, the acute toxicity screening of the Az-garck fruit pulp was determined using the Lorke’s Method. The results of the aforementioned screenings revealed semi-solid concentrated crude extract of the plant portion; secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, steroids/triterpene as phytochemicals. The GCMS analysis of Az-garck, identified five (5) active compounds namely Bicyclo [3.1.1] heptane, 2, 6, 6-trimethyl; hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (Palmitic acid); 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester (Ricinoleic acid) and octadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (methyl stearate). Meanwhile, the LD50 of the extract was reported to be more than 2000mg/kg bw for Az-garck fruit pulp. Finally, the present study has shown that the hydroethanolic fruit pulp extract of Az-garck possess rich active compounds with probable numerous therapeutic and beneficial effects and these may be the rationale behind its wide ethnobotanic applications in our locale and beyond.