Abstract

Abstract: SyzygiumguineenseWilld D.C. (Synonym Memecylonlopezianum. A. Chev) is a leafy forest tree of the family Myrtaceae found in many parts of Africa both wild and domesticated. Its fruits and leaves are edible and the fruits are used for treatment of dysentery. Ethanolic extract prepared from fresh seeds was used for cytotoxicity and antihelmintic testing using Artemiasalina and Pherithemaposthuma respectively. The dried pulp was analyzed for mineral contents using Delta-Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (DPXRF) with a sensitivity of 10 ppm. The ethanolic extract showed antihelmintic activity in a dose dependent manner giving shorter time of paralysis and death compared to the Albendazole tablets. Brine shrimps results gave the LC50 value 9 times higher than the standard drug suggesting absence of toxicity. The fruit pulp contains various amounts of macro elements and micro elements. To our understanding, this is the first study on S. guineensefruits on cytotoxicity and antihelmintic activities and mineral analysis. These preliminary findings indicate S. guineense fruits as a good source of micro and macronutrients as well as potential antihelmintic agent. The study is ongoing to capture various aspects of isolation and identification of bioactive compounds for drug development and establishment of safety. Keywords: Syzygiumguineense; Minerals;Anthelmintic activity and Cytotoxicity activity.

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