Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences

| Peer-Reviewed |

Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Plants Used in Ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Received: 29 April 2017    Accepted: 10 May 2017    Published: 24 October 2017
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of six plants used in ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was carried out to identify and quantify the bioactive compounds present in these highly medicinal plants. The plants studied were Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thonn, Euphorbia heterophylla Linn., Senna occidentalis L., Piper nigrum L., Ageratum conyzoides L. and Gongronema latifolium Benth. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of the plant species were screened for the presence of alkaloid, anthraquinone, coumarin, flavonoid, phenol, quinone, saponin, tannin, sugar and glycoside and quantitative study was also carried out using Standard method. Qualitative study indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in the ethanolic extracts of P. amarus and E. heterophylla, and absence of anthraquinone in S. occidentalis, P. nigrum, A. conyzoides and G. latifolium. Also, absence of coumarin in S. occidentalis, and phenol in G. latifolium. The aqueous extract indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in A. conyzoides and presence of alkaloid, tannin, sugar and glycoside in other plant species studied. Quantitative analysis showed variable amounts of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoid, saponins and phenol in all the plants investigated. The different phytochemicals are shown to perform different biological activities in humans and animals. These compounds can be harnessed for industrial and pharmaceutical utilization.

DOI 10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16
Published in Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences (Volume 5, Issue 5, September 2017)
Page(s) 198-205
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Bioactive Compounds, Ethnomedicine, Medicinal Plants, Quantitative Study, Qualitative Study, Ethanolic Extract, Aqueous Extract

References
[1] Breslin, Andrew. "The Chemical Composition of Green Plants". Sciencing, Leaf Group Ltd, 2017.
[2] Molyneux, RJ; Lee, ST; Gardner, DR; Panter, KE; James, LF. "Phytochemicals: the good, the bad and the ugly?". Phytochemistry. Vol. 68, No. (22–24), 2007, pp. 2973–85.
[3] Harborne, Jeffrey B.; Baxter, Herbert; Moss, Gerard P., eds. "General Introduct". Phytochemical dictionary a handbook of bioactive compounds from plants (2nd ed.). London: Taylor & Francis. p. vii. 1999.
[4] Tapsell, L. C., Hamphill, I., Cobiac, L. “Health benefits of herbs and spices”: The past, the present, the future. Med. J. Augt. Vol. 185, No. 4 Suppl, 2006, pp. 14-24.
[5] Sumner, Judith.. The Natural History of Medicinal Plants. Timber Press. p. 16, 2000.
[6] Sandhya B., Thomas S., Isabel W., Shenbagarathai R. Ethnomedical plants used by the Valaiyan community of Piranmalai Hills (reserved forest), Tamilnadu, India - A pilot study. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Vol. 3, No. 1, 2006, pp. 101–114.
[7] Lai, P. K., Roy, J. “Antimicrobial and Chemopreventive properties of herbs and spices”. Curr. Med Chem. Vol. 11, No. 11, 2004, pp. 145-60.
[8] Hocking G. M. Pakistan medicinal plants I. Qualitas Plantarum et Materiae Vegetabiles. Vol. 5, No. 1-2, 1958, pp. 145–153.
[9] Shinwari Z. K., Gilani S. S., Akhlas A. Sustainable harvest of medicinal plants at bar and Shinaki Valleys, Gilgit (Northern Pakistan) WWF-P, Gilgit: Consultancy Report. 2003.
[10] Ibrar M., Hussain F., Sultan A. Ethnobotanical studies on plant resources of Ranyal Hills, District Shangla, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany. Vol. 39, No. 2, 2007, pp. 329–337.
[11] Khan N., Ahmed M., Ahmed A., et al. Important medicinal plants of Chitral Gol National Park (CGNP) Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany. Vol. 43, No. 2, 2011, pp. 797–809.
[12] Panda, H. Handbook on Medicinal Herbs with uses. Asia Pacific Business Press, New-Delhi. P. 287. 2004.
[13] Yadav, J. P., Arya, V., Yadav, S., Panghal, M., Kumar, S., Dhankhar, S. Cassia occidentalis: A review on its ethnobotany, phytochemical and pharmacological process. Fitoterapia. Vol. 9, 2009, pp. 231-236.
[14] Awomukwu, D. A., Nyananyo, B. L., Ikpeama, A. I., Adieze, C. U. Comparative chemical constituents of some Cassia species and their pharmacognostic importance in South Eastern Nigeria. Science Journal of Chemistry. Vol. 3, No. 3, 2015, pp. 40-49.
[15] Collins, Minta.. Medieval Herbals: The Illustrative Traditions. University of Toronto Press. p. 32, 2000.
[16] Essien, J. P., Ebong, G. A., Akpan, E. J. Antioxidant and antitussive properties of Gongronema latifolium leaves used locally for the treatment of fowl cough in Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management. Vol. 11, No. 4, 2007, pp. 47-50.
[17] Morebise, O. A Review on Gongronema latifolium, an extremely Useful Plant with Great Prospects. Eur. Journal of Medicinal Plants. Vol. 10, No. 1, 2015, pp. 1-9.
[18] Fan, L. S., Muhmad, R., Omar, D., Rahimani, M. Insecticidal properties of Piper nigrum fruit extracts and essential oils against Spodoptera litura. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. Vol. 13, 2011, pp. 517-522.
[19] Ahmad, N., Fazal, H., Abbasi, B. H., Farooq, S., Ali, M., and Khan, M. A. Biological role of Piper nigrum L. (Black Pepper): A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. Vol. 5, 2012, pp. 1945-1953.
[20] Menut, C., Sharma, S., and Luthra, C. Aromatic plants of tropical central Africa, Part X-Chemical composition of essential oils of Ageratum houstonianum Mill. and Ageratum conyzoides L. from Cameroun. Flavour Fragrance Journal. Vol. 8, No. 1, 1993, pp. 1-4.
[21] Bioka, D., Banyikwa, F. F., and Choudhuri, M. A. Analgesic effects of a crude extract of Ageratum conyzoides in the rat. Acta Hort. Vol. 332, 1993, pp. 171-176.
[22] Adebayo, A. H., Tan, N. H., Akindahunsi, A. A., Zeng, G. Z., and Zhang, Y. M. Anticancer and antiradical scavenging activity of Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae). Pharmacognosy Magazine. Vol. 6, No. 21, 2010, pp. 62-66.
[23] Erden, Y. S., Ekrem, H., Gisho, T., Yoshihisa, T., Toshiohiro, T. Traditional Medicine in Turkey IX, folk medicine in North West Anatolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol. 64, 1999, pp. 201.
[24] Falodun, A., Okunrobo, L. O., & Uzoamaka, N. Phytochemical Screening and Anti-inflammatory evaluation of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn (Euphorbiaceae). African Journal of Biotechnology. Vol. 5, No. 6, 2006, pp. 529-531.
[25] Okeniyi, S. O., Adedoyin, B. J., & Garba, S. Phytochemical screening, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of stem and leaf extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla. Bulletin of Environmental Pharmacology and Life Science. Vol. 1, No. 8, 2012, pp. 87-91.
[26] Foo, L. Y. Amarulone, A novel cyclic hydrolysable tannin from Phyllanthus amarus. Natural Products Letters. Vol. 3, 1993, pp. 45-52.
[27] Heyde, H. Medicjin planten in Suriname. (Den dres wiwiri foe Sranan) “Medicinal Plants in Suriname”. Uity Stichting Gizondheidsplante informaite (SGI) Paramaribo, p. 157, 1990.
[28] Veeramuthu, D., Muniappan, A. and Savarimuthu, I. Antimicrobial activity of some ethnobotanical plants used by Paliyar tribe from Tamil Nadu, India. BMC Complementay and Alternative Medicine. Vol. 6, 2006, pp. 35.
[29] Hutchinson, J. and Dalziel, M. D. Flora of West Tropical Africa, vol. 2. Crown Agents, London, UK. 1963.
[30] Kassuya, C. A. L, Silvestre, A. A, Rehder, V. L. G. and Calixto, J. B. Anti-allodynic and anti-oedematogenic properties of the extract from Phyllanthus amarus in models of persistent inflammatory and neuropathic pain. European Journal of Pharmacology. Vol. 478, 2003, pp 145–153.
[31] Adeneye, A. A, Amole, O. O and Adeneye, A. K. Hypoglycemic and hypercholeserolemia activities of aqueous leaf and seed extract of Phyllanthus amarus in mice. Fitoterapia. Vol. 77, 2006, pp. 511–514.
[32] Mehratra, R., Rawat, S., Kulshreshtha, D. K., Goyal, P., Patnik, G. K. and Dhawan, B. N. In vitro effect of Phyllanthus amarus on hepatitis-B virus. Indian Journal of Medicinal Research. Vol. 93, 1991, pp. 71-73.
[33] Mensah, J. L., Gleye, J., Moulis, C. and Fouraste, I. Alkaloids from the leaves of Phyllanthus discoideus. Journal of Natural Products. Vol. 51, No. 6, 1988, pp. 1113-1115.
[34] Patel, J. R, Tripathi, P, Sharma, V, Chauhan, N and Dixit, V. K. Phyllanthus amarus: Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology: A review Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol. 138, No. 2, 2011, pp. 286–313.
[35] Jain, S. C., Sharma, R. A., Jain, R., Mittal, C. Antimicrobial screening of Cassia occidentalis Linn. in vivo and in vitro. Life Sciences and Medicine Research. Vol. 12, 2010, pp. 200-204.
[36] Tona, I., Cimanga, R. K., Mesia, K., Musuamba, C. T., De Bruyne, T., Apers, S., Hernans, N., Miert, S. V., Pieters, L., Totte, J., Vlietinck, A. J. In vitro antiplasmodial activity of extracts and fractions from seven medicinal plants used in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol. 93, 2004, pp. 27-32.
[37] Screegith, G., Latha, P. G., Shine, V. J., Anuja, S. R., Suja, S., Sini, S., Shyamal, S., Pradeep, S., Shikha, P., & Rajasekharan, S. Anti-allergy, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-lipid peroxidatanto effect of Cassia occidentalis Linn. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. Vol. 48, 2010, pp. 494-498.
[38] Malviya, R., & Sharma, R. Kasamarda (Senna occidentalis Linn.): Ayurvedic approach. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Scientific Innovation. Vol. 2, No. 2, 2013, pp. 25-27.
[39] Panda, S. & Kar, A. Piperine lowers the serum concentration of thyroid hormones, glucose and hepatic 5D activity in adult male mice. Horm. Metab. Res. Vol. 35, 2003, pp. 523.
[40] Parganiha, R., Verma, S., Chandrakar, S., Pal, S., Sawarkar, H. A., Kashyap, P. In vitro anti-asthmatic activity of fruit extract of Piper nigrum (Piperaceae). Inter. J. Herbal. Drug Res. Vol. 1, 2011, pp. 15-18.
[41] Almagboul, A. Z., Farrog, A. A., & Tyagi, B. R. Antimicrobial activity of certain Sudanese plants used in folkoric medicine: Screening for antibacterial activity, Part 2. Fitoter. Vol. 56, 1985, pp. 103-105.
[42] Afolabi, F. E. Chemical Composition and antibacterial activity of Gongronema latifolium. Journal of Zhejiang University of Science. Vol. 8, No. 5, 2007, pp. 352-358.
[43] Morebise, O, Fafunso, M. A, Makinde, J. M, Olajide, O. A, Awe, E. O. Anti-inflammatory property of the leaves of Gongronema latifolium. Phytotherapy Research. Vol. 16, 2002, pp. 75-77.
[44] Ugochukwu, N. H. & Babadym N. E. Antioxidant effects of Gongronema latifolium in hepatocytes or rat models of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Fitoterapia. Vol. 73, No. 7-8, 2002, pp. 612-618.
[45] Iweala, E. E. J, Liu, F, Cheng, R, Li, Y. Anticancer and free radical scavenging activity of some Nigerian food plants in vitro. International Journal of Cancer Research. Vol. 11, No. 1, 2015, pp. 41-51.
[46] Odebiyi, A., Sofowora, E. A. Phytochemical Screening of Nigeria Medicinal Plants. Part II, Liyodia. Vol. 403, 1978, pp. 234-246.
[47] Sofowora, A. Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine in Africa. John Wiley and sons Ltd. Chichester England, pp. 142-146, 1982.
[48] Ngbele, J., Yakubu, R. A., Nyam, D. A. Phytochemical Screening for active Compounds in Canarium schweinfurthii (Atile) leaves from Jos North, Plateau State Nigeria, Research Journal Of Biological Sciences. Vol. 11, No. 39, 2008, pp. 1076-1078.
[49] Kittakoop, P., Mahidol, C., Ruchirawat, S. “Alkaloids as important Scaffolds in therapeutic drugs for the treatments of cancer, tuberculosis and smoking cessation”. Cur Top Med Chem. Vol. 14, No. 2, 2014, pp. 239-252.
[50] Davis, P. H. and Heywood, V. H. Principles of Angiosperm Taxonomy, Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh. 1963.
[51] Qiu, S., Sun, H., Zhang, A. H., Xu, H. Y., Yan, G. L., Han, Y., Wang, X. J. “Natural alkaloids: basic aspects, biological roles, and future perspectives.” Chinese Journal of Natural Medicine. Vol. 12, No. 6, 2014, pp. 401-406.
[52] Russo, P., Frustaci, A., Del Bufalo, A., Fini, M., Cesario, A. “Multitarget drugs of plants origin acting on Alzheimer’s disease”. Curr Med Chem. Vol. 20, No. 13, 2013, pp. 1686-93.
[53] Raymond, S. S., Jonathan, S. J., Watkins-Pitchford, M. J. The Essence of Analgesia and analgesics. Cambridge University Press. Pp. 82-90. 2010.
[54] Cushnie, T. P., Cushnie, B., Lamb, A. J. “Alkaloids: An overview of their antibacterial, antibiotic- enhancing and antivirulence activities”. Int J. antimicro Agent. Vol. 44, No. 5, 2014, pp. 377-386.
[55] Robbers, J. E, Speedie, M. k., Tyler, V. E. “Chapter 9: Alkaloids”. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. pp. 143-185. 1996.
[56] O’Neil, L., Kim-Standage, W. S., Hughes, G. B. and Murray, K. B. In: Watson, R. R., 2000, Ed. Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs in Health Promotion, C. R. C. Press, USA. 2000.
[57] Okwu, D. E. and Emenike, I. N. Evaluation of the phytonutrients and vitamin contents of Citrus fruits. International J. of Molecular Med. and Advanced Science. Vol. 2, No. 1, 2006, pp. 1-6.
[58] Casley-Smith, J. R. “Treatment of lymphedema of the arms and legs with 5, 6-benzo-(alpha)-pyrone. NEJM. Vol. 329, No. 16, 1993, pp. 1158-63.
[59] Scalbert, A, Manach, C, Morand, C, Rémésy, C and Jiménez, L. Dietary polyphenols and the prevention of diseases. Critical Reviews on Food Science and Nutrition. Vol. 45, No. 4, 2005, pp. 287-306.
[60] Okwu, D. E. and Omodamino, O. D. (2005). Effects of hexane extract and phytochemical content of Xylopia aethiopica and Ocimum gratissimum on uterus of guinea pig. Bio. Research. Vol. 3, 2005, pp. 40-44.
[61] Okwu, D. E. Phytochemicals and vitamin contents of indigenous species of South Eastern Nigeria, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. Vol. 6, 2004, pp. 30-37.
[62] Trease, G. E. and Evans, W. C. Pharmacognosy. 11th edn. Brailliar Tiridel Can. Macmillian publishers, 1989.
[63] Tyler, V. E., Brady, L. R., and Roberts, J. E. Pharmacology. Lea and Ferbiger, Philadelphia, Pp. 85-90, 1988.
[64] Awosike, F. Local medicinal plants and health of consumers. Clinical Pharmacology and Herbal Medicine. Vol. 9, 1991, pp. 28-29.
[65] Ogunleye, D. S., and Ibitoye, S. F. Studies of antimicrobial activity and chemical constituents of Ximena americana. Trop. J. Pharm. Res. Vol. 2, 2003, pp. 239-241.
[66] Amelio, S. O. F. Botanical: A Phytochemical Disk Reference, C. R. C Press, Washington D. C, 1999.
[67] Finar, I. L. Chemistry; Stereochemistry and the chemistry of Natural products, 5th Edn, Vol. 2. Longman group, UK. Pp. 517-605, 1989.
[68] Kamel, J. M. An extract of the mesocarps of fruits of Balanitea eagyptiaca exhibited a prominent anti-diabetic properties in Mice. Chemical Pharmacology Bulletin. Vol. 39, 1991, pp. 1229-1233.
[69] Jimoh, F. O. and Oladji, A. T. Preliminary studies on Pilostigma thonningii seed: proximate analysis, medicinal composition and phytochemical screening, African Journal of Biotechnology. Vol. 4, No. 12, 2005, pp. 1439-1442.
Author Information
  • Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

  • Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

  • Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mercy Gospel Ajuru, Light Femi Williams, Gospel Ajuru. (2017). Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Plants Used in Ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 5(5), 198-205. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Mercy Gospel Ajuru; Light Femi Williams; Gospel Ajuru. Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Plants Used in Ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2017, 5(5), 198-205. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Mercy Gospel Ajuru, Light Femi Williams, Gospel Ajuru. Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Plants Used in Ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. J Food Nutr Sci. 2017;5(5):198-205. doi: 10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16,
      author = {Mercy Gospel Ajuru and Light Femi Williams and Gospel Ajuru},
      title = {Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Plants Used in Ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria},
      journal = {Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences},
      volume = {5},
      number = {5},
      pages = {198-205},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfns.20170505.16},
      abstract = {Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of six plants used in ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was carried out to identify and quantify the bioactive compounds present in these highly medicinal plants. The plants studied were Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thonn, Euphorbia heterophylla Linn., Senna occidentalis L., Piper nigrum L., Ageratum conyzoides L. and Gongronema latifolium Benth. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of the plant species were screened for the presence of alkaloid, anthraquinone, coumarin, flavonoid, phenol, quinone, saponin, tannin, sugar and glycoside and quantitative study was also carried out using Standard method. Qualitative study indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in the ethanolic extracts of P. amarus and E. heterophylla, and absence of anthraquinone in S. occidentalis, P. nigrum, A. conyzoides and G. latifolium. Also, absence of coumarin in S. occidentalis, and phenol in G. latifolium. The aqueous extract indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in A. conyzoides and presence of alkaloid, tannin, sugar and glycoside in other plant species studied. Quantitative analysis showed variable amounts of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoid, saponins and phenol in all the plants investigated. The different phytochemicals are shown to perform different biological activities in humans and animals. These compounds can be harnessed for industrial and pharmaceutical utilization.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Plants Used in Ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
    AU  - Mercy Gospel Ajuru
    AU  - Light Femi Williams
    AU  - Gospel Ajuru
    Y1  - 2017/10/24
    PY  - 2017
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16
    DO  - 10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16
    T2  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
    JF  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
    JO  - Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences
    SP  - 198
    EP  - 205
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-7293
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfns.20170505.16
    AB  - Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of six plants used in ethnomedicine in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was carried out to identify and quantify the bioactive compounds present in these highly medicinal plants. The plants studied were Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thonn, Euphorbia heterophylla Linn., Senna occidentalis L., Piper nigrum L., Ageratum conyzoides L. and Gongronema latifolium Benth. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves of the plant species were screened for the presence of alkaloid, anthraquinone, coumarin, flavonoid, phenol, quinone, saponin, tannin, sugar and glycoside and quantitative study was also carried out using Standard method. Qualitative study indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in the ethanolic extracts of P. amarus and E. heterophylla, and absence of anthraquinone in S. occidentalis, P. nigrum, A. conyzoides and G. latifolium. Also, absence of coumarin in S. occidentalis, and phenol in G. latifolium. The aqueous extract indicated the presence of all the phytochemicals in A. conyzoides and presence of alkaloid, tannin, sugar and glycoside in other plant species studied. Quantitative analysis showed variable amounts of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoid, saponins and phenol in all the plants investigated. The different phytochemicals are shown to perform different biological activities in humans and animals. These compounds can be harnessed for industrial and pharmaceutical utilization.
    VL  - 5
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections