Sheila Maregesi et al.; Saudi J. Med. Pharm. Sci.; Vol-2, Iss-5(May, 2016):95-99 Available Online: http://scholarsmepub.com/sjmps/ 95 Saudi Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN 2413-4929 (Print) Scholars Middle East Publishers ISSN 2413-4910 (Online) Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: http://scholarsmepub.com/ Original Research Article Determination of Mineral Content, Cytotoxicity and Anthelmintic Activity of Syzygium guineense Fruits Sheila Maregesi 1 , Godeliver Kagashe 2 , Charles W. Messo 3 , Lucy Mugaya 1 , 1 Pharmacognosy Department - School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65013 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 2 Pharmaceutics Department - School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65013 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 3 Geology Department - University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 35052 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania *Corresponding Author: Sheila Maregesi Email: smaregesi@hotmail.com Abstract: Syzygium guineense Willd D.C. (Synonym Memecylon lopezianum. A. Chev) is a leafy forest tree of the family Myrtaceae found in many parts of Africa both wild and domesticated. Its fruits and leaves are edible and the fruits are used for treatment of dysentery. Ethanolic extract prepared from fresh seeds was used for cytotoxicity and antihelmintic testing using Artemia salina and Pherithema posthuma respectively. The dried pulp was analyzed for mineral contents using Delta-Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (DPXRF) with a sensitivity of 10 ppm. The ethanolic extract showed antihelmintic activity in a dose dependent manner giving shorter time of paralysis and death compared to the Albendazole tablets. Brine shrimps results gave the LC 50 value 9 times higher than the standard drug suggesting absence of toxicity. The fruit pulp contains various amounts of macro elements and micro elements. To our understanding, this is the first study on S. guineense fruits on cytotoxicity and antihelmintic activities and mineral analysis. These preliminary findings indicate S. guineense fruits as a good source of micro and macronutrients as well as potential antihelmintic agent. The study is ongoing to capture various aspects of isolation and identification of bioactive compounds for drug development and establishment of safety. Keywords: Syzygium guineense; Minerals; Anthelmintic activity and Cytotoxicity activity. INTRODUCTION Syzygium guineense (Willd) D.C. synonyms; Memecylon lopezianum A. Chev is a tree with edible fruits, belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It is widespread in Sub Saharan Africa, edible organs are the leaves and fruits (the fruit skin and pulp) [1]. The bark is traditionally used to treat stomachache and diarrhea [2]. In Nigeria the plant is used to treat diabetes [3], in Namibia it is used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections particularly in the treatment of Herpes zoster [4] while in Uganda, the plant is used against malaria [5]. Essential oil of leaves consist of caryophyllene oxide (7%), d-cadinene (7.5%), viridiflorol (7.5%), epi- α-cadinol (9.8%), α-cadinol (12.7%), cis-calamenen-10- ol (14%), citronellyl pentanoate (15.2%), β- caryophyllene (20.1%) and α-humulene (39.5%) [6]. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrate, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides [7], arabinogalactan polysaccharides that possessed immunological activities [8]. Testing leaf methanolic extract of S. guineense on mice justified oral administration for treatment of snake envenomation [9] while the ethanolic extract exhibited anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Regarding antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Shigella sonnei, arjunolic and asiatic acids showed highest significant antibacterial activity among the isolated triterpenes from leaves [2]. Leaves had demonstrated insecticidal activity against Melophagus ovinus (an external parasite of sheep belonging to the family Hippoboscidae) [10]. Both ethanolic and aqueous root extracts of Syzygium guineense inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi at 20 mg/ml and identified the alkaloids and anthraquinones as the bioactive compounds [1]. In another study, the root bark showed antimycobacterial activity by minimum inhibitory concentration within the range of 800μg/ml to 2000μg/ml [11]. Evaluation of in vivo antihypertensive and in vitro vasodepressor activities of the leaf extract of Syzygium guineense exhibited antihypertensive effect that was linked with by dilation of the blood vessels. This confirmed the folkloric antihypertensive use of the plant [12].