Abstract

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OF EXTRACTS AND SOLUBLE FRACTIONS, ACUTE AND SUBACUTE TOXICITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT FROM RAPHIA SESE DE WILD (ARECACEAE) RIPE DRIED FRFUITS

Mondo M., Basola L., Musimbele N. L., Mpona M., Pwema K., Lusai S. W., Kikweta M. C. and Cimanga K. R.*

ABSTRACT

The present study was initiated in the evaluation of antioxidant activity of extracts and soluble fractions from Raphia sese ripe dried fruits in vitro against 5 selected reactive oxygen species, (ROS) and acute and subacute toxicity of aqueous extract in vivo. Results revealed that aqueous and methanol extracts from R. sese ripe dried fruits and chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and residual soluble fractions exhibited pronounced antioxidant activity by producing IC50 values < 10 μg/ml against all selected ROS, excepted chloroform soluble fractions showing moderate activity against hydrogen peroxide radical. In acute and subacute toxicity, aqueous extract did not influence the levels of hematological and biochemical parameters of treated rats since all reported values were found to be in acceptable physiological limits. In addition, it did not induce mortality of treated rats since its LD50 was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg bw and did not significantly modify the vital organ weights and electrolytes levels of treated animal. Aqueous extract was considered as practically non-toxic per os supporting its use for a lo time without the occurring of side effects.

Keywords: Raphia sese, Arecaeae, Ripe dried fruits, Extracts, Soluble fractions, antioxidant activity, Acute and Subacute toxicity.