Preliminary Phytochemical and Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Sida corymbosa Plant

Over centuries, Sub-Saharan Africans have been using Sida corymbosa leaf extract during labour with the claims that it aids and facilitates childbirth among others. This study aimed at preliminary investigating the phytochemical constituent as well as the safety. Fresh plant (leaves) specimen was harvested and identified. Aqueous Sida corymbosa leaf extraction was carried out and used for phytochemical evaluation and toxicity study. Thirteen (13) adult Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 3 animals (n = 3) each for the first phase of the toxicity study and treated with doses (10, 100 and 1000) mg/kg respectively and observed for 48 hours. Four groups consisting of 1 animal each (n = 1) were used for the second phase and treated with doses of (140, 225, 370 and 600) mg/kg respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, sterol, triterpenes and anthraquinones in the extract. The LD50 of the extract was found to be 471.17 mg/kg. The results of this study show that the aqueous leaf extract of Sida corymbosa is slightly toxic with potentials for biological activities from phytochemicals present.