Phytochemical Analysis and Acute Toxicity (LD50) Studies of Aqueous Seed Extract of Irvingia gabonensis (African mango)

African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) belongs to the Irvingiaceae family of plants, it has a long history both as a food and medicine. This study was carried out to analyze the phytochemicals of seed extract as well as to evaluate its acute oral toxicity (LD50). A total of thirteen rats were used for the acute toxicity study and was done in two phases; in phase I, nine rats were divided into three groups of three rats each and were orally administered with 10, 100 and 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract. The rats were observed for mortality and general behavior for 24hrs. In phase II, four rats were administered with the extract at higher doses of 1500, 2500, 3500 and 5000mg/kg respectively and were observed for mortality and other signs of toxicity for 24hrs. The results of the qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, saponin, tannins, resins and reducing sugar with the absence of coumarin, while quantitative analysis shows that the extract is rich in glycosides, followed by flavonoids, followed by alkaloids, followed by saponin, and lastly tannin A and tannin B. Acute toxicity revealed that the extract was practically nontoxic with oral LD50 greater than 5000mg/kg body weight. In conclusion, these results showed that the extract is rich in phytochemicals and was found to be relatively safe at administered doses. Keywords: acute toxicity; Irvingia gabonensis; phytochemical analysis and seed extract. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-24-07 Publication date: December 31st 201