Free Radical Scavenging, Antimicrobial Activities and Effect of Sub-Acute Exposure to Nigerian Xylopia aethiopica Seed Extract on Liver and Kidney Functional Indices of Albino Rat

Background: Xylopia aethiopica is highly reputed for its numerous medicinal properties. In the present study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity profile of methanol seed extract of Nigerian X. aethiopica in rat were evaluated. Methods: Phytochemical compositions were evaluated using standard procedures. The antibacterial study was carried out using agar well diffusion method, while antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assay. Twenty-five rats (5 each) were given 0, 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract orally for 28 days. Results: The extract had total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of 15.98±0.03mg GAE/g and 2.29±0.02 mg/g CE respectively. The extract had IC50 values of 52.45±3.05 µg/mL and 73.45±3.89 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay respectively. The E. coli showed the highest susceptibility (20.27±0.90mm) while P. aeuruginisa showed the least (15.08±0.20mm). The MIC ranged from 25-50 µg/mL while MBC ranged between 50µg/mL and 100 µg/mL. In comparison with the control rats, the levels of serum creatinine, bicarbonate total proteins, albumin, and ALP were significantly higher in rat dosed 600 mg/kg bwt while urea decreases in rat dose 300 and 600 mg/kg. However, serum concentration of ALT, AST, bilirubin, Na+, K+ and Cl- compared favorably (P>0.05) with control at all doses. Conclusion: The study revealed the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Nigerian X. aethiopica, the extract at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/b.wt did not provoke toxic effects to the animals’ liver and kidney; however, caution should be exercised when using as a prolonged oral remedy at high doses.