PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ACUTE TOXICITY AND POTENTIAL ANTI-BENIGN
PROSTRATE HYPERPLASIA ACTIVITY OF METHANOL BARK EXTRACT OF Chrysophylum
albidum G DON (SAPOTACEAE)
OFEIMUN JO1*, FANAYAJO T1 , UCHENDU A2 , EZE G3 , IDOMEH FA4 , AYINDE BA1
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City Nigeria.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin,
Benin City, Nigeria.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Services, Chemical Pathology Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin
City, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 13(3): 172-181 (2021)
ABSTRACT
Chrysophylum albidum had been identified as a traditional remedy for Benign Prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in an ethnobotanical survey. This study aimed to identify phytochemicals in the plant, determine the acute toxicity and anti –BPH activity of the methanol bark extract (MCA) of the plant. Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures, while acute toxicity was investigated using Lorke’s method. The anti-BPH activity was investigated, using thirty male albino rats (185 -230) divided into six groups of five rats each. Group 1 rats served as normal control; group 2-negative control, groups 3, 4 and 5, extract treatment groups and group 6 – positive control group. Rats in group I was neither induced nor treated. Rats in groups 2-6 received subcutaneous testosterone (3 mg/kg) to induce (BPH). In addition, group 3 -5 received MCA; 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg respectively. Group 6 rats were treated with Finasteride (5 mg/kg). After 28 days, rats were sacrificed, blood collected and the prostate tissue harvested. The serum concentration of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histological evaluation of the prostate was also determined. Phytochemicals identified include; alkaloids, saponin, steroids, flavonoids and tannin. LD50 was determined to be above 5000 mg/kg, orally with no mortality recorded. The extract at all doses non-linearly reduced serum testosterone, DHT and PSA. The activity of 150 mg/kg was significant (p < 0.0001) compared to the negative control. Deviances seen in the histo-architecture of negative control rats were revised by the extract at 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg as well as by finasteride. This study provides scientific support for the ethnomedicinal use of the plant in the management of BPH.
Email of correspondence: jofeimun@uniben.edu;
KEYWORDS: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); Chrysophyllum albidum; Testosterone;
Dihydrotestosterone; Prostate-specific antigen.