ISSN 2756-3413
African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluation of the chemical composition 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
Accepted 06 November, 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.