Abstract
GC/MS of the volatile components of the aerial part of Macfadyena unguis-cati L, Fam.. Bignoniaceae revealed 74 compounds, 52 of them (representing 75.97%) were identified. The major compound is n-decane (12.21%) followed by phytol (12.19%). The saponifiable fraction of the petroleum ether extract showed 21 fatty acid identified as methyl esters. 37 compounds were identified in the unsaponifiable fraction;representing 93.26%. β-amyrin, squalene, β-sitosterol and 3ά,5-cyclo-ergosta-7,22-dien-6-one were identified in the USM.Determination of LD50 of different extracts showed that total ethanol extract is the safest (4.9 g/kg) followed by petroleum ether extract, (4.5 g/kg) and ethyl acetate extract having the least LD50 (3.1 g/kg). The total ethanol extract was revealed to be the most potent as antipyretic, followed by ethyl acetate extract. The ethanol extract, as well as the coumarin containing fraction exhibited significant analgesic activity.
