Phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar rats

Abstract Scientific research on Polyscias fulva has demonstrated the plant’s pharmacological properties, including antitumor, antibacterial, and hypoglycemic effects, but there is a paucity of data concerning the phytochemical components responsible for these effects as well as the safety of Polysci...

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Main Authors: Kenedy Kiyimba, Ayaz Ahmed, Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Samuel Baker Obakiro, Yahaya Gavamukulya, Eric M. Guantai, Were Lincoln Munyendo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Toxicology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44339-025-00031-z
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author Kenedy Kiyimba
Ayaz Ahmed
Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary
Samuel Baker Obakiro
Yahaya Gavamukulya
Eric M. Guantai
Were Lincoln Munyendo
author_facet Kenedy Kiyimba
Ayaz Ahmed
Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary
Samuel Baker Obakiro
Yahaya Gavamukulya
Eric M. Guantai
Were Lincoln Munyendo
author_sort Kenedy Kiyimba
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Scientific research on Polyscias fulva has demonstrated the plant’s pharmacological properties, including antitumor, antibacterial, and hypoglycemic effects, but there is a paucity of data concerning the phytochemical components responsible for these effects as well as the safety of Polyscias fulva. This study aimed to profile the phytoconstituents in the different solvent fractions of the ethanolic extract of Polyscias fulva stem bark using GC–MS and FTIR analysis, and subsequently evaluate acute and sub-acute toxicity effects in Wistar albino rats. GC–MS analysis identified 19 major phytocompounds. In silico toxicity prediction revealed the potential skin sensitization, eye corrosion, and respiratory toxicity effects of some of the identified compounds. Polyscias fulva ethanolic stem bark extract showed minimum acute toxicity in Wistar albino rats, with an LD50 exceeding 5000 mg/kg. Sub-acute toxicity testing did not show any significant biochemical or hematological toxic effects. However, dose dependent histopathological toxic effects were noted in the lungs with the lower doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) causing mild bronchitis with mononuclear cell infiltration, and the highest dose (800 mg/kg) causing marked peri-bronchiolar and perivascular lymphoid cell accumulation. These findings suggest the presence of pharmacologically active phytochemicals in Polyscias fulva with no major acute toxicity, biochemical or hematological toxic effects, but with lung specific dose-dependent histopathological toxic effects, and predicted skin and eye sensitivity reactions. Further research is needed to identify the specific phytochemicals responsible for its pharmacological activities and potential toxic effects, to inform its safe use in managing human ailments.
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spelling doaj-art-a903e6952afb41d1893dab13a55161262025-08-20T03:22:46ZengSpringer NatureDiscover Toxicology3004-88932025-06-012112710.1007/s44339-025-00031-zPhytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar ratsKenedy Kiyimba0Ayaz Ahmed1Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary2Samuel Baker Obakiro3Yahaya Gavamukulya4Eric M. Guantai5Were Lincoln Munyendo6Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of NairobiDr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of KarachiInternational Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of KarachiNatural Products Research and Innovation Centre, Busitema UniversityNatural Products Research and Innovation Centre, Busitema UniversityDepartment of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of NairobiSchool of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, United States International University-AfricaAbstract Scientific research on Polyscias fulva has demonstrated the plant’s pharmacological properties, including antitumor, antibacterial, and hypoglycemic effects, but there is a paucity of data concerning the phytochemical components responsible for these effects as well as the safety of Polyscias fulva. This study aimed to profile the phytoconstituents in the different solvent fractions of the ethanolic extract of Polyscias fulva stem bark using GC–MS and FTIR analysis, and subsequently evaluate acute and sub-acute toxicity effects in Wistar albino rats. GC–MS analysis identified 19 major phytocompounds. In silico toxicity prediction revealed the potential skin sensitization, eye corrosion, and respiratory toxicity effects of some of the identified compounds. Polyscias fulva ethanolic stem bark extract showed minimum acute toxicity in Wistar albino rats, with an LD50 exceeding 5000 mg/kg. Sub-acute toxicity testing did not show any significant biochemical or hematological toxic effects. However, dose dependent histopathological toxic effects were noted in the lungs with the lower doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) causing mild bronchitis with mononuclear cell infiltration, and the highest dose (800 mg/kg) causing marked peri-bronchiolar and perivascular lymphoid cell accumulation. These findings suggest the presence of pharmacologically active phytochemicals in Polyscias fulva with no major acute toxicity, biochemical or hematological toxic effects, but with lung specific dose-dependent histopathological toxic effects, and predicted skin and eye sensitivity reactions. Further research is needed to identify the specific phytochemicals responsible for its pharmacological activities and potential toxic effects, to inform its safe use in managing human ailments.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44339-025-00031-zPolyscias fulvaAcute toxicitySub-acute toxicityGC–MSFTIR
spellingShingle Kenedy Kiyimba
Ayaz Ahmed
Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary
Samuel Baker Obakiro
Yahaya Gavamukulya
Eric M. Guantai
Were Lincoln Munyendo
Phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar rats
Discover Toxicology
Polyscias fulva
Acute toxicity
Sub-acute toxicity
GC–MS
FTIR
title Phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar rats
title_full Phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar rats
title_fullStr Phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar rats
title_full_unstemmed Phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar rats
title_short Phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of Polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in silico, and in vivo studies in wistar rats
title_sort phytochemical analysis and toxicity evaluation of polyscias fulva stem bark extract using gas chromatography mass spectrometry fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in silico and in vivo studies in wistar rats
topic Polyscias fulva
Acute toxicity
Sub-acute toxicity
GC–MS
FTIR
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44339-025-00031-z
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