Innocuity and antioxidant activities of Pentadesma butyracea (1824) leaves for its use in hormone replacement therapy

Pentadesma butyracea is a tall tree of Western Africa commonly called better tree. Leaves are used in the treatment of several diseases including genitourinary, pregnancy and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess toxicity and antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extract of P. butyracea leaves. The major compounds of the extract were previously identified. Oral acute toxicity was achieved on NMRI mice during 72 h after single oral-administration whereas oral sub-acute toxicity was achieved on Wistar rats during 28-days. Antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH, FRAP and lipid peroxidation inhibition. The major phytochemicals identified in the hydroethanolic extract of P. butyracea leaves were tannins, steroids and triterpenoids, anthocyanosids, anthraquinones, saponosids, mucilage and gums. The acute toxicity study showed that the extract did not cause neither sign of toxicity nor mortality until 3000 mg/kg. The subacute toxicity study showed that the extract did not cause signs of toxicity after 28-days consecutive oral administration. Nevertheless, platelets count. total cholesterol and AST level were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Assessment of antioxidant activity revealed that the extract possessed a great potential of scavenging free radical, to inhibit lipid peroxidation and to reduce ferric power. The extract could have hepaprotective activity and may be benefit for cholesterol reduction.Keywords: Pentadesma butyraceae, toxicity, phytochemistry, antioxidant