Proximate analysis, total phenolic content, acute toxicity, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory studies of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon using Wister rat models

Herbal medicines have been in use for thousands of years. It is estimated that 80% of world population rely on traditional herbal medicine for prophylaxis and therapy of different ailments. In recent years, there has been an upsurge in the use of these herbal remedies due to their cultural acceptability, availability, affordability, efficacy and safety claims. This study carried out the proximate analysis, total phenolic and Citric acid contents, acute toxicity, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory studies of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon using Wister rat models. Wister rats (135 – 140 g) were used for this study. Vigna unguiculata was extracted using ethanol for 72 hours. Proximate analysis, Citric acid content of Citrus limon, total phenolic content, acute toxicities, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory studies were done. The yield of the extract was 1.9%. The LD50 was greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight. The Citric acid content of Citrus limon was 54.2 + 0.003 mg/ml. The proximate analysis showed the presence of protein, fat, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, moisture, and iron while total phenolic contents of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon were 15.3 and 19.3 mgGAE/L respectively. The combination of Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon exhibited greatest anti-oxidation effect and recorded malondialdehyde concentration of 3.66 ± 0.34 nmol/ml as compared to the individual herbs that recorded 6.14 ± 0.38 and 4.28 ± 0.12 nmol/ml respectively. In anti-inflammatory assay, Vigna unguiculata had the best percentage inhibition of heat induced hemolysis of 62.79%. In conclusion, Vigna unguiculata and Citrus limon had synergistic antioxidant and antagonistic anti-inflammatory activities.