Physicochemical, Pharmacological And Toxicological Evaluation Of Avocado Pear (Persea Americana) Seed:- Opara, Chinazum

ABSTRACT xvi The physicochemical, pharmacological, toxicological properties as well as the effect of avocado pear (Persea americana) seed on monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced toxicity were studied using standard protocol. The study reveals that the moisture, protein, ash, fat, fibre water and oil absorption capacity of the flour sample were 13.09±0.14%, 2 64±0 01%, 3.82±0.00%, 0.33±0.00%, 2.87±0.00%, 2.70±0.00% and 1.80±0.00% respectively.’ The anti-nutrient contents of the flour sample were as follows: saponins (8.10±0.01mg/100g), alkaloids (2.14±0.00mg/100g), flavonoids (1.81±0.01mg/100g), tannins (1.14±0.01mg/100g), cyanogenic glycosides (1.02±0.00mg/l00g) and phenols (0.29±0.01mg/100g) while that of the vitamins were vitamin C (97.8mg/100g), vitamin A (10.11±0.01IU), vitamin Bl (0.33±0.00mg/100g), vitamin B2 (0.29±0.00mg/100g), vitamin E (0.12±0.00mg/100g) and vitamin B3 (0.06±0.01mg/100g). The mineral content of the sample were potassium (43.73±0.01mg/100g), phosphorus (28.06±0.02mg/100g), sodium (22.1 l±0.01mg/l00g), calcium (21.12±0.02mg/100g), magnesium (10.23±0.01mg/100g), zinc (2.04±0.00mg/100g) and iron (1.04±0.01mg/100g). The scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract of avocado pear seed on ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were comparable to that of gallic acid (using FRAP) and showed a minimal inhibitory effect on DPPH scavenging radical. The ethanolic extract of avocado pear seed exhibited the highest activity against the bacterium, Proteus mirabius (23.0mm) and the fungus, Candida albican (32.0mm). The least activity was against the fungus, Penicillum natatum (0mm) and against the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.0mm). Evaluation of the effect of ethanolic extract of avocado pear seed on monosodium glutamate induced toxicity was carried out using laboratory animals. Animals were grouped into 6 groups (n = 4 rats) with group 1 serving as control, group 2 received 800mg/kg body weight monosodium glutamate, group 3 received 300mg/kg body weight of the extract, group 4 received 8000mg/kg body weight of monosodium glutamate and lOOmg/kg body weight of the extract, group 5 received 8000mg/kg body weight of monosodium glutamate and 300mg/kg body weight of the extract, while group 6 received 8000mg/kg body weight of monosodium glutamate and 500mg/kg body weight of the extract, daily by oral gavage for 14 days. Result showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher serum ALT activity in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 when compared to normal control (group 1). A significantly (p<0.05) higher serum AST activity was observed in group 2 (negative control) and group 6 animals when compared to the normal control (group 1). For kidney function, a significantly (p<0.05) higher serum urea concentration was observed in group 2 (negative control) and group 4 when compared to the normal control. Serum creatinine concentration showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in group 4 when compared to the control group. Serum chloride concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group 2, 5 and 6 when compared to the control group. A significantly (p<0.05) higher catalase activity was observed in group 2 when compared to the control. White blood cells count was significantly (p<0.05) higher in control group when compared to groups 4, 5 and 6. The histological result revealed that MSG ingestion in rats induced hepatic and renal injuries at the dose of 8000mg/kg body weight which were ameliorated by the ethanolic extract of avocado pear seed especially at the lowest concentration (lOOmg/kg bw.) administered. In conclusion, the study showed that avocado pear seed is nutritionally and pharmacological valuable and the ethanolic extract significantly ameliorated MSG-intoxicated rats at a low dose.