Qualitative Phytoconstituents Determination, FTIR, Toxicity Profiling and Antivenin Potential of Indigofera Conferta

Abstract

The plant from family fabaceae has reportedly been used in traditional medicine to treat sore feet and snake bite. This research work is aimed at evaluating the toxicity profile and antivenin potential of the plant using standard procedures. Preliminary phytochemical screening on crude methanol extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids/terpenes, cardiac glycosides, saponin, lipids, carbohydrate and anthraquinones. Hexane fraction showed the presence of steroids and lipids only. Chloroform fraction showed the significant presence of steroids, alkaloids, and lipids while ethyl acetate showed the presence of all the constituents identified in the crude methanol extract. FTIR spectroscopic analysis on the crude methanol extract revealed various characteristic band values related to structural features in complex organic compound and aromatic structures. The toxicity investigation showed that both crude methanol extract and fractions are nontoxic and safe at the tested doses. The antivenin activity evaluated on the chloroform fraction of I. conferta yielded significant result with 40% protection at both 125 and 250mg/kg, but no protection was observed at 500 mg /kg. The activity observed might be attributed to individual or combined secondary metabolites identified.