Phytochemical compositions and biochemical effect of Phyllanthus amarus in albino rat

Phyllanthus amarus is a commonly known weed used for the traditional treatment of several aliment. In the present study, phytochemical screening and toxicological profile of methanol and aqueous extracts of P. amarus were investigated. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis were carried out using standard procedures. Sub-acute toxicity was carried out by oral administration of the aqueous extract at 300 and 600ml/kg for 14days. Biochemical parameters including aspartate amino tranferases (AST), alanine amino transfereas, (ALT), alkaline phosphates (ALP) albumin, total protein and albumin were investigated. The results obtained showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannin, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and steroids in both extracts. Quantitatively, alkaloids (0.56±0.01 and 0.56±0.00 mg/g) were the most abundant phytochemical while phenol (0.09±0.01 and 0.07±0.01 mg/g) was the least abundant in both extracts. The concentrations of total proteins were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in rats dosed with 600 mg/kg bw of the extract when compared with the control rats. However, serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP and albumins were not significantly (p>0.05) altered when compared with the control values. Methanol and aqueous extracts of P. amarus contains important phytochemicals with therapeutic reputations. The extract was also found not to have adverse/toxic effect on liver integrity at doses of up-to 600 mg/kg bw in rats.