Phytochemical Characterization, Toxicological Evaluation, and Biological Activities of Phenolics Fractions from Chromoleana Odorata: A Subacute Toxicity Study

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background: </bold><italic>Chromoleana</italic> <italic>odorata</italic> (<italic>Astrceaea</italic>) is commonly used in folklore traditional medicine for the management of various ailments. The present study evaluated the antioxidant, antimicrobial and safety properties of the Phenolic extracts of <italic>C. odorata</italic> in male Wister rats. <bold>Methods</bold><italic><bold>: </bold></italic>Quantitative phytochemicals components of <italic>C. odorata</italic> were determined according to standard protocols described by AOAC, the Phenols extract was subjected to antibacterial study via agar well diffusion method, and antioxidant study using 2, 2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) assays. Acute toxicity were carried out by standard protocols described by lorkes methods, subacute toxicity were carried out by the oral administration of the extract at a daily dose of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg for 14 days. <bold>Results</bold><italic><bold>: </bold></italic>Phytochemical analysis of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts revealed an impressive array of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenols, with phenols being the most abundant (261.34±1.07^a and 171.45±0.91^b). The phenolic extract produced significant antioxidants activities with IC₅₀of 45.07±0.77µg/mL &amp; 55.08±0.80 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP models respectively. The extracts antioxidant and reducing power activity increased with concentration, reaching a maximum of 96.44% and 81.88% at 100 µg/mL. The phenol extract demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity against <italic>Bacillus subtilis</italic>, <italic>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</italic>, and <italic>MRSA</italic>, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 12.5 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml. Notably, the zones of inhibition increased with increasing concentration, reaching up to 25.6 mm at 100 mg/ml. In comparison, the control antibiotics (Gentamycin, Pefloxacin, Sperfloxacin, and Streptomycin) showed superior efficacy. Acute toxicity testing indicates a relatively low LD50 of approximately 1000 mg/kg bw, suggesting safety. Subacute toxicity studies reveal increased AST activity and decreased creatinine and bilirubin levels, with no significant changes in other parameters. Additionally, the treated groups showed no significant variations in body weight gain and organ weight ratios relative to body weight, compared to the control group. <bold>Conclusions</bold><italic><bold>: </bold></italic>The phenolic extract of <italic>Chromolaena odorata</italic> exhibits promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, coupled with relatively low toxicity. These findings suggest its potential as a candidate agent for antimicrobial drug development and antioxidant capacity enhancement applications.