Safety evaluation and beneficial effects of Acacia catechu seed extract invitro and Invivo

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the safety and beneficial effects of Acacia catechu seeds both in vitro and in vivo. The present study identified and characterized the phytochemical constituents present in the ethanolic seed extract of Acacia catechu. The heavy metals, pesticide and aflatoxin content were also determined. The antioxidant and anticancer activity was carried out by in vitro method using HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. While the aerial parts and heartwood of the plant material Acacia has already been reported for its hepatoprotective activity, the present study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic seed extract of A.catechu against acetaminophen induced liver toxicity in rats. The acute and sub-acute toxicity of A.catechu seed extract was carried out as per OECD guidelines to find out the suitability for further biological screening. The phytochemical analysis results demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, saponins, reducing sugars and protein in the ethanolic seed extract of acacia. The heavy metal content was found to be under the WHO permissible limit and was devoid of pesticide and aflatoxin content. Further, in vitro and in vivo studies exhibited the beneficial effect of acacia seed extract in the tested parameters. No toxicological symptoms were observed in the rats in any of the hematological and biochemical parameters which were evident from the acute and sub-acute studies. This further demonstrated the safety of the acacia seed extract to be used as therapeutic agent. newline