PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ACUTE TOXICITY STUDIES OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SYZYGIUM ALTERNIFOLIUM (WIGHT) WALP.

Abstract

Syzygium (Myrtaceae) is among the largest genus of Dicotyledonae which is pan global with about 1,200 species reported from around the world. Owing to the unverified claims made on the medicinal properties and therapeutic efficacy of Syzygium alternifolium, this study pursued with fruit extracts receives a special impetus. Ethanol extract made by continuous hot percolation method was tested for its phytochemical constituents and were evaluated for its toxic effects. Though responded negatively in the tests for carbohydrates, gums, mucilage, tannins ad phenolics, the ethanolic fruit extract is worth referring as a therapeutic as there is rich haul of other potentially curative secondary metabolites. Analysis of Ethanolic Extract of Syzygium alternifolium (EESA) by GC-MS showed the presence of various components such as Glycerin, Pentanoic acid, 4-oxo-, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3- dihydro- 3,5- dihydroxy-6- methyl-,2- Furancarboxaldehyde,5-(hydroxymethyl)-,1-octanol,2-butyl-,2,5-monomethylene-1-rhamnitol 1,6 anhydro-a-D- galactofuranose, 1,6 anhydro-a-D-glucofuranose, Hexanedioic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester, 1,2-Benzene dicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester and Squalene. In this present study performed on acute oral toxicity testing in rats, a single dose of 2 g/kg of the extract could be placed under acute toxicity class 5- > 2000 mg- 5000 mg/kg (OECD Guidelines, 2000). These findings provide information on the doses to be given in the subsequent pharmacological studies as the fruit extracts are presumed to treat a number of common and critical aliments.