Evaluation of antioxidant potential and toxicological safety of ethanol extract of Morinda citrifolia leaf

This study explores the potential of Morinda citrifolia leaf through a modified ethanol extraction method which employed variation in the percentage of ethanol used for the leaf’s extraction that differs from previous approaches. With established reports from the fruits for its antioxidant capacity, we looked into its leaf to investigate its effectiveness and safety. Based on the pathogenesis of oxidative stress induced ailments, the studies evaluate the in-vivo antioxidant and toxicological effects of the M. citrifolia leaf by determining DPPH, ABTS, superoxide, nitric oxide radical scavenging abilities, reducing power, lipid peroxidation, β-carotene bleaching inhibition and metal chelating potentials of M. citrifolia. We carried out LD50 and sub-chronic (28-day) toxicity assay and histopathology examination of the essential organs. The results of the study showed that ethanolic extracts of M. citrifolia (EMC) has strong potential as an effective antioxidant and it has little or no toxicological effect. The results align with previous studies carried out on the fruits of M. citrifolia. This study provided preliminary evidence that supports the potential of the ethanolic extracts of M. citrifolia leaf for further studies as a viable antioxidant agent that can be incorporated as supplements or developed from its bioactive components as a modern drug for oxidative stress induced ailments.