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Quantitative determination of some phytochemicals (phenol, flavonoid, saponin and alkaloid) in twenty-two Nigerian medicinal plants

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Abstract

Phytochemical screening of twenty-two (22) selected Nigerian medicinal plants were investigated. The plants include: Solenostemon monostychyus (P. Beauv.), Senna occidentalis (L.), Boerhaeria diffusa (L.), Phyllanthus amarus (Schum et Thonn), Alstonia congensis (De Wild), Acalypha wilkesiana (Mull. Arg.), Costus afer (Ker.), Asphilia africana (Pers.), Tridax procumbens (L.), Icacina tricantha (Oliv.), Psidium guajava (L.), Chenpodium species (L.), Azadirachta indica (Juss.), Mormordica charantia (L.), Calopogonium mucunoides (Vent.), Dalbergiella welwitschii (Bak.), Sida acuta (Burm.), Sphenocentrum jollyanum (Pierre), Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.), Cymbopogon citrates (D.C.), Citrus limon (L.) and Vernonia amygdalina (L.). The results of the qualitative analysis of these plants show that fifteen of the plants contained all the parameters analyzed in varying proportions. The percentage amount of saponin ranges from 0%w/v in B. diffusa to 5%w/v in A. wilkesiana; that of alkaloid ranges from 0%w/v in A. wilkesiana to 1.03%w/v in A. indica; while phenol (1.14%w/v) and flavonoid (1.34%w/v) were highest in D. welwitchi. It could be concluded that most Nigerian medicinal plants that are exploited traditionally for treatment of different ailments contain well known and studied phytochemicals such as flavonoid, phenol, saponin and alkaloid. The findings also indicate that flavonoid and phenol are present in D. welwitchi crude aqueous extract which have not been previously reported in literature.
... Medicinal plants contain various bioactive constituents called phytochemicals which make them very effective in the management of a wide range of diseases [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], and are rising sources of therapeutic agents because of their high safety profile, low cost and high availability [9,10,18]. Justicia carnea (commonly called flamingo flower) is a flowering plant of the Acanthaceae family, an origin of eastern Brazil, a common decorative plant that is cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical climates and it is also found in Nigeria [19]. ...
... Majority of the compounds (compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, and 14) had a relative abundance greater than 2% in the medicinal plant extract (MEJC) (Table 1c). Several phytochemicals in plants have been reported as having pharmacological importance (such as in exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities) in disease prevention and control [12][13][14][58][59][60]. Consequently, medicinal plants are becoming rising sources of alternative therapy due to high availability and little or no side effect arising from their use [8,18,48,58]. ...
... Similarly, compounds 3, 4 and 5 are also highly absorbed in the GIT and moderately permeate the skin but cannot cross the BBB. Majority of the compounds (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) were, however, predicted to have low GI absorption and also exhibited inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The non-permeability of the blood-brain barrier by compounds 7-14 may be associated with their high molecular weights (MW) which ranged from 400.68 to 430.71 g/ mol unlike compounds 1-6 with MW ranging from 256.42 to 296.53 g/ mol. ...
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Obesity is a global health problem characterized by excessive fat deposition in adipose tissues and can be managed by targeting pancreatic lipase (PL) activity. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant and anti-obesity potentials of methanolic leaf extract of Justicia carnea(MEJC) using lipase inhibition kinetics model. In silico evaluations of MEJC bioactive compounds as potential drug-like agents and inhibitors of PL were also investigated using SwissADME prediction tool, semi-empirical quantum mechanics(SQM), molecular electrostatic potential(MEP) and molecular docking analysis. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC–MS) revealed presence of campesterol, stigmasterol, beta-amyrin etc. MEJC scavenged reactive species and inhibited PL activity via a mixed inhibition pattern (Ki = 107.69 μg/mL; Kii = 398.00 μg/mL) with IC50 > orlistat's IC50. Molecular docking of GC–MS identified compounds with porcine PL showed compounds 8,10,12 and 14 having high PL-binding affinity and similar binding pose with orlistat. Hydrophobic interactions and van der Waals forces were predominantly involved in the ligands' interactions with some key catalytic site amino acid residues (Ser-153,His-264). Compounds 10,12,13 and 14 indicated high drug-likeness, bioavailability, electronegativity, ELUMO-EHOMO energy gaps and MEP. Our findings show that MEJC is a rich natural source of antioxidant and anti-obesity agents which could be optimized for development of new anti-obesity drugs.
... They are regarded as antinutrients and possess a variety of nutritional, biological, and pharmacological properties (Okwu, 2004;Saxena et al., 2013;Anigboro et al., 2019). Phytochemicals have many ecological and physiological roles, and are present in plants in diverse chemical forms, including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, phenols, and flavonoids (Ndukwe et al., 2013;Anigboro et al., 2014;Anigboro et al., 2021). In the human body, phytochemicals can induce a range of physiological effects, including inducing antioxidant activity, mimicking hormones, and suppressing development of disease (Whitney et al., 2002;Nwanna et al., 2016;Anigboro et al., 2021). ...
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This study evaluated the relative abundance of proximate, mineral, and phytochemical constituents of the anatomical parts of Xylopia aethiopica (XA) fruit using standard analytical procedures. The results showed that whole fruits (WF) have higher contents of crude protein, crude fiber, fat, ash, and moisture than the seeds (S) and pericarps (P). However, highest contents of crude carbohydrate and nitrogen free extracts were found in the P, followed by the S. The content of minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper) and phytochemicals were present in the following order of abundance: WF>S>P. Furthermore, the phytochemical constituents in each XA parts were present in the following order of relative abundance: total flavonoids>tannins>total phenolics>cardiac glycoside>alkaloids> steroids. Vitamin A was abundant in all three parts, with the abundance highest in WF [4.83±0.06 g vitamin A equivalent (vit A eq)/100 g] and lowest in P (1.64±0.02 g vit A eq/100 g). This preliminary study indicates XA fruits are rich in minerals, anti-nutrients, and phytochemicals. Therefore, these data could represent a biochemical rationale for inclusion of XA as a spice or functional ingredient in many Nigerian local soups to help prevent ailments.
... To circumvent the side effects of these drugs, the use of medicinal plants' extracts or green-synthesized therapeutic agents like nanoparticles, has been proposed for effective and efficient management of type 2 diabetes with very minimal or no side effects. Vernonia amygdalina [9][10][11] , Hibiscus sabdarriffa [12] , Brillantasia patula [13] , Polyalthia longifiola [14] etc have been reported to exhibit antidiabetic properties. Similarly, nanoparticles (NPs) with hypoglycermic effects such as zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extract [15] , silver nanoparticles produced from Punica granatum leaves [16] , and quite recently, gold NPs synthesized using insulin plant Chamaecostus cuspidatus [17] have also been reported. ...
Article
The interactions between α-amylase, one of the key enzymes linked with postprandial glucose regulation, and Chrysophyllum albidum seed methanolic extract(CSME) and its green-synthesized silver nanoparticles(CSAgNP) were investigated using multiple spectroscopy including Fourier Transform-Infrared(FT-IR), ultraviolet(UV)-visible absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and biochemical analysis. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed presence of some functional groups in the samples. CSME and CSAgNP inhibited α-amylase. The intrinsic fluorescence intensity of α-amylase was quenched by CSME and CSAgNP via static mechanisms, indicating formation of complex between the enzyme and inhibitors. α-Amylase-CSAgNP complex had higher binding constants. The binding processes were exothermic, entropy driven, spontaneous, and involved hydrogen bonds and van der Waals force. Synchronous fluorescence quenching indicated alteration in microenvironment of α-amylase catalytic site tyrosine residues.FT-IR spectroscopy revealed shifts in amide I peak position of α-amylase due to interaction with CSME/CSAgNP. Absorption spectroscopy also affirmed changes in enzyme conformation. This study may provide theoretical basis for designing novel α-amylase inhibitors.
... Distribution of the drugs is also another important factor since they cannot be accessed in remote villages. Further, several fake drugs that are harmful to several organs of the body have been produced, increasing the need to focus efforts on the use of medicinal herbs for treatment of malaria (Anigboro et al., 2014;Ancheria et al., 2018). The efficacy of some of these herbs has been shown, however only a few has received attention regarding their individual safety for human organs Tonukari et al., 2015). ...
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This study examined the bioactive components of Eucalyptus camaldulensis aqueous leaf extracts and their protective effects on liver and renal function in a Plasmodium berghei-induced albino mouse model of malarial infection. The results showed that E. camaldulensis extracts are rich in phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenols, saponin, terpenes, and tannin. Four days after infection with malaria, elevated parasitemia levels in untreated control mice dropped by 4.57%. Administration of E. camaldulensis extracts at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg significantly decreased parasitemia levels by 17.39, 61.88, and 60.53%, respectively (all P<0.05), relative to untreated control mice; however, standard antimalarial drugs were more efficacious and reduced parasitemia by 86.73%. Treatment with both E. camaldulensis extracts (100∼300 mg/kg) and standard antimalarial drugs significantly decreased malarial-induced physiological imbalances in liver and renal biomarkers, and serum electrolytes in malaria-infected mice compared with controls (P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of E. camaldulensis was greatest at a dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg. These findings indicate that E. camaldulensis aqueous leaf extracts could protect against malarial-induced aberrations in liver and renal function whilst exhibiting anti-malarial effects, and could explain its use as an antimalarial remedy in traditional medicine.
... Plants are known to house a large group of phytochemical compounds, with more class being identified from time to time. Studies have showed that these compounds exhibit various medicinal functions (Anigboro et al. 2014). Flavonoids antioxidant properties are linked to their modulatory actions on autoxidation of lipids in cardiovascular disease and carcinogenesis (Atanu et al. 2018, Hezeena Begum andMuthukumaran 2014). ...
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Purpose: This study investigated the phytochemistry and in vitro free radical scavenging activities of aqueous leaf extract of Ficus exasperata (FE), Moringa oleifera (MO) and Jatropha tanjorensis (JT). Methods: Spectrophotometric evaluation was employed in the determination of the total phenols, total flavonoids, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition, nitric oxide (NO •) radical inhibition, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC). Results: Qualitative screening of bioactive compounds confirmed the presence of terpenes, flavonoids and phenols in all extracts amidst other phytochemicals. Total phenols and total flavonoids estimation were highest in Ficus exasperata (96.10 ± 2.70 mg gallic acid equivalent g-1 and 28.45 ± 1.80 mg catechin equivalent g-1 , respectively). Moringa oleifera leaf extract exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity against DPPH and NO • radicals, while Jatropha tanjorensis exhibited the highest FRAP and TAOC. Nitric oxide radical inhibition by M. oleifera extract was significantly higher (p<0.05) at 7.0 mg mL-1 (64.7 ± 0.32%). The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of the plant leaves for FRAP and TAOC were in the order JT < MO < FE, whereas for DPPH and NO • scavenging activities the IC50 values were in the order MO < JT < FE. Conclusions: The findings of this study clearly showed that the antioxidant properties of M. oleifera and J. tanjorensis leaves were higher than those of F. exasperata. The knowledge of the different bioactive components and antioxidant prowess of these medicinal plants could be used as a guide in making the choice of medicinal plant to use for treatment or prophylaxis against cellular aberrations in which oxidative stress is implicated. Anigboro AA, Avwioroko OJ, Ohwokevwo OA, Pessu B (2019) Bioactive components of Ficus exasperata, Moringa oleifera and Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extracts and evaluation of their antioxidant properties. Eurasia J Biosci 13, 1763-1769 (2019).
... Different plants extracts have been used in the management of many different illnesses [4,5] and many of these plant species have been demonstrated to have hypoglycemic effect [6]. Many indigenous plants, shrubs, herbs, twigs and leafy vegetables are taken as food, spices or used in medicinal purposes in Nigeria [7]. ...
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The protective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Brillantasia patula against hyperglycermia, lipid peroxidation, and alterations in hematological parameters in diabetic Wistar rats were investigated. The study consisted of six treatment groups, with five animals each, designated as Group-1 (healthy), Group-2 (diabetic control) and Groups 3-6 (diabetic rats treated with 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kgbwt of extract, respectively). Rats were administered their respective doses orally, and daily, for 14 days. Thereafter, the effects on serum glucose levels, liver and kidney functions, lipid peroxidation, free radical scavenger and hematological parameters were analyzed. Blood glucose levels reduced markedly in diabetic rats given the plant extract relative to diabetic control. Both serum creatinine and urea decreased significantly in treated diabetic rats at extract doses of 1000 mg/kgbwt and above. Reductions in serum cholesterol (p<0.05) and triglyceride levels (p<0.05) were also observed. Elevated total serum protein and globulin in diabetic control was decreased in all treated groups. Haematological indices of groups given the extract were noticeably enhanced. Similarly, kidney, heart and liver glutathione (GSH) levels increased significantly in groups treated compared to diabetic control; lipid peroxidation in kidney and heart also decreased significantly in all the treated groups. Liver catalase activity improved. Serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases activities widely lowered in Groups 3 and 4. The study indicates that Brillantaisia patula aqueous leaf extract exhibits potential hypoglycemic effect, prevents lipid peroxidation, boosts haematological parameters, and could protect liver and renal damage associated with diabetes especially at doses of 500 - 1000 mg/kgbwt.
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Diabetes is one of the commonest global diseases affecting both sexes and phytomedicine is currently among the foremost replacements for orthodox drug; Polyalthia longifiola is among the locally used herbal remedies for various ailments. The onus of this research was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and potential of P. longifiola aqueous leaf extract against alterations in liver and kidney functions in rats injected with alloxan. Phytochemical evaluation of the aqueous plant leaf extract indicated that terpenes, non-reducing sugar, flavonoid, resin, phenol, gums and mucilage were present. The contents of total flavonoids and phenol in the plant leaf are 55.56 μg catechin equivalent/g and 1.62 g/ 100g DW, respectively. The plant extract administered reduced the glucose concentration of the diabeticinduced animals in a dose dependent manner. This reducing potential of glucose by the plant is as a consequence of the availability of these phytochemicals in the extract of the plant. Alterations in liver function biomarkers (serum ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, TB and DB) caused by the hyperglycemic state of the test animals were reversed as the extract was given to the diabetic rats. Kidney function makers such as creatinine, urea and uric acid were also reduced upon administration of hypoglycemic drug and aqueous plant extract and improved as time progressed. Thus P. longifiola (mast tree) aqueous leaf extract has ameliorative effects on liver and kidney functions of rats induced with diabetes and could be used in management of type 2 diabetes even at a concentration of 100 mg/kg bwt.
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