Nutritional Composition, Phytochemistry, and In vivo Potentials of Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benn.) Rhizome Extracts

The evidence on the advantages of plant rhizomes remains sparse. Proximate analysis, phytochemical screening (qualitative and quantitative), and lethal dose investigation of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the unpeeled and peeled Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benn.) rhizome (TdR) and their effects in albino rats are presented in this paper. In order to investigate the extract’s effect on albino rats, fifteen animals were divided into five groups (n = 3). Group 1 is the control, and groups 2–5 were orally administered 300 mg/kg body weight of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of unpeeled and peeled TdR for 7 days, respectively. After the experimental period, blood glucose, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically. The qualitative analysis carried out revealed the presence of flavonoids, reducing sugar, free anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, and glycosides in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the unpeeled and peeled rhizomes. The quantitative analysis shows that total phenol has the highest percentage of constituents compared to niacin, flavonoids, and tannins. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed the absence of alkaloids and phlobatannins. The blood glucose concentration was significantly (P≤ .05) decreased in animals administered with all the crude rhizome extracts, while the total serum albumin, globulin, and protein concentrations were significantly (P≤ .05) increased. Likewise, the extracts of the peeled and unpeeled rhizomes caused a significant (P≤ .05) increase in serum cholesterol concentration as well as triglycerides compared to the control. The results revealed that the nutritional composition and phytochemistry of both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the unpeeled and peeled TdR rhizome and the administration of 300 mg/kg body weight had significant effects on the biochemical parameters of the rat.