Phytochemistry and Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extracts of Pavetta corymbosa Leaves (Rubiaceae)

Pavetta corymbosa (Rubiaceae) is a plant widely known in sub-Saharan Africa in the field of traditional medicine. It is used empirically against certain pathologies such as malaria, diabetes, hemorrhages and typhoid fever. However, there is no scientific data on its phytochemical and biological profile, so this study was carried out to research the chemical groups contained in the leaves of this plant and determine the toxicological parameters which would justify its use in traditional medicine. Several standard characterization methods were used for phytochemical screening of aqueous and   hydroethanolic extracts of Pavetta corymbosa leaves. The study of the acute toxicity of the two types of extracts from the leaves of this plant was carried out according to the OECD guideline 423 using Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening indicated the existence of polyphenols, saponosides, quinones, flavonoids, polyterpenes and sterols in the two types of extracts of this plant, which would justify its biological and pharmacological effects. The study of the acute toxicity of these two types of extracts, administered intraperitoneally to Wistar rats, showed no mortality of the rats. These toxicological results allow us to qualify the leaves of Pavetta corymbosa as being non-toxic, hence the interest in its use in traditional medicine against certain pathologies.