ISSN 2169-303X
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 7 (7), pp. 402-406, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the chemical constituents of two Nigerian medicinal plants
D. E. Okwu* and C. Josiah
Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
*Corresponding authors E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 23 April, 2017
Abstract
Nigerian medicinal plants (Aspilia africana and Bryophyllum pinnatum) were analyzed for their chemical composition, vitamins and minerals. The results revealed the presence of bioactive constituents comprising alkaloids (1.24 to 1.48 mg/100 g), saponins (1.46 to 1.72 mg/100 g), flavonoids (1.46 to 1.86 mg/100 g), phenols (0.06 mg/100g) and tannins (0.04 to 0.5 mg/100g). The medicinal plants contained ascorbic acid (26.42 to 44.03 mg/100 g), riboflavin (0.20 to 0.42 mg/100 g), thiamine (0.11 to 0.18 mg/100 g), and niacin (0.02 to 0.09 mg/100 g). These herbs are good sources of minerals such as Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe and Zn. The importance of these chemical constituents is discussed with respect to the role of these herbs in ethnomedicine in Nigeria.
Key words: Aspillia africana, Bryophyllum pinnatum, bioactive compounds, ethnomedicine.