Phytochemical analysis and cytotoxic activity of the root extract of Commiphora africana (Caesalpiniaceae)

Commiphora africana is traditionally used for the treatment of several ailments because of its pharmacological activities. The dried roots were extracted with 95% ethanol to obtain a crude extract which was investigated for its phytochemicals and acute oral toxicity. The qualitative phytochemical investigation of the crude extract demonstrated the presence of several secondary metabolites which included saponins, tannins, reducing sugars, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, triterpenoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates. The crude extract was also screened in-vivo for cytotoxicity using mice and it exhibited low toxicity in the assay. There were no records of mortality even at the highest concentration of 5000 mg/kg. The presence of the phytochemicals in the crude ethanolic extract provides the scientific evidence for the efficacy of Commiphora africana root in traditional medicinal applications.