Phytochemical Screening, Acute Toxicity , Analgesic And Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Apricot Seeds Ethanolic Extracts

The aim of present study was to investigate the phytochemical screening, acute toxicity and some pharmacological activities of ethanolic extract 70 % and 99.9% of apricot seeds. The phytochemical screening was done for determination of total phenolic compounds by Folin–Ciocalteu method, total flavonoids by aluminum chloride colorimetric method and total carotenoids by colorimetric method. The acute toxicity was done for determination of LD50 in mice by oral administration of upgraded doses of the extracts. The anti-inflammatory activity was done in vivo by formalin-induced paw edema in rats. The analgesic activity was carried out in mice by writhing test and hot plate method. Phytochemical screening revealed that the amount of total phenolic compounds was 179.4 and 191.2 µg gallic acid equivalent / g dry extract and the amount of total flavonoids was 226.18 and 509.34 µg rutin equivalent / g dry extract and the amount of total carotenoids was 0.145 and 0.156 mg/g dry extract for 70 % and 99.9% ethanolic extract, respectively. The acute toxicity revealed that both extracts had no toxic symptoms in rats and no mortalities appear by upgraded doses of 1 g to 10 g / kg b.wt. The 70% and 99.9% ethanolic extracts exhibited significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activites in a dose of 100 mg/kg b.wt. of both extracts. These results suggest that apricot seed extracts contain significant level of safe non-toxic phytochemical substances that have significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.