Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 11(1): 1364 -1373. Published August 30, 2011.
Phytochemical and cytotoxicity testing of Indigofera lupatana Baker F.
*1 Ngoci S. N., 1Mwendia C. M and 1Mwaniki C. G.
1Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Box 536, Egerton, Kenya.
*Correspnding author: hicogn@gmail.com
Key words: Phytochemicals, Cytotoxicity, Brine shrimp, Indigofera lupatana Baker. F.
SUMMARY
Indigenous plants are promising as a cheap and alternative complimentary medicine (CAM). Although the use of phytomedicine has been in practice for long, little has been done to evaluate their effectiveness, safety, target organisms and also their chemical characterization. Indigofera lupatana Baker F. (locally known as Mugiti)has been used by Mbeere community of Kenya to treat many conditions such as cough, diarrhea, pleurisy and gonorrhea. In this study, powdered sample of I. lupatana Baker F.roots were sequentially extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and methanol solvents. The resultant extract fractions were subjected to phytochemical tests and brine shrimp cytotoxicity bioassay. Results showed that the fractions had Phenolics, Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins, Terpenoids, Cardiac glycosides, Steroids and Phlobatannins. These are responsible for the bioactivity of the sample fractions. All fractions had a LC50 value greater than 1000µg/ml which is an indication that they are all non toxic. Therefore Indigofera lupatana Baker F. can be used as an alternative source of new, effective, safe drug(s) because it demonstrated presence of phytochemicals with no oral toxicity.
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