Biological potentials and nutrient capability of Vitex doniana fruit syrup

Abstract

The phytochemical constituents, proximate composition, antioxidant activity and acute toxicity profile of Vitex doniana fruit syrup were investigated to ascertain its biological potentials and nutrient capability. The antioxidant activity was done by measuring the scavenging effect of the syrup and ascorbic acid on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The IC50 value of the syrup was found to be 245.8 µg/ml and that of ascorbic acid 2.175 µg/ml, indicating that the syrup has antioxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid. The study revealed that the syrup contains tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids. The study further presented the syrup as a highly nutritious food that contain moisture of about, 9.90%, ash content: 21.5%, fat: 0.75%, fibre: Not detected (ND), protein: 0.006% and carbohydrate: 67.84%. For the acute toxicity studies of the syrup, twenty mice were randomized based on body weight into five groups of four mice each.  Three mice in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth group were given volumes of the 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/mL respective syrup corresponding to 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 mg/kg doses. While mice in the control group received potable water (10 mL/kg). The mice in all the groups were observed for signs of toxicity closely at 15 min, 30 min, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h, and then once daily for 14 days. Based on the model used the syrup is acutely safe in mice, since none of the mice died within 24 hours after oral treatment and on extrapolation gives a high predictive value in human.

 Keywords: Antioxidant, phytochemical, acute toxicity, proximate composition, Vitex doniana.