Secondary Metabolites Screening and Acute Toxicity Test of Peperomia pellucida(L.) Kunth Methanolic Extracts

Abstract

Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth. is a wild plant that can be found in various shaded and damp habitats in tropical and subtropical climate. Aerial part of this plant is traditionally used as a medicine in Indonesia such as dizziness, headache, fever, and stomach ache. This study aims to determine the content of secondary metabolites and acute toxicity of methanolic extracts of Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth herb. The methanolic extract obtained by gradual maceration using n-hexane and methanol. Secondary metabolites analysis by appropriate reagents showed that methanol extract contains flavonoids, tannins, and steroids. Acute toxicity tests performed in DDY mice showed that methanol extract LD50 is greater than 4000 mg/kgBW. There was no sign of toxicity on the skin and hair, respiration system, defecation, feed intake and behavior up to 4000 mg/kgBW. At that dose, the extract did not cause mortality, influence growth, and liver damage.