Abstract:In an attempt to investigate the phyto-constituents present in the root bark and root core of Cassia ferruginea (Schrad D.C) plant due to acclaimed medicinal wide range uses of the plant especially for mental illness, sexual dysfunction and microbial infections, both the root bark and root core of Cassia ferruginea (Schrad D.C) plant were collected, processed and extracted using 95% ethanol. Phytochemical analysis method was used to determine the various constituents present qualitatively. The study revealed the presence of Alkaloids, Tannin, Saponins, Phenols, Flavonoid, and Cardiac glycosides in both root bark and the root core sample, in addition to Protein, Quinone, and Coumarins in the root bark except for steroid which was only present in the root core of Cassia ferruginea (Schrad D.C) plant. The study has shown the nature distribution of phyto-constituents in plant at different parts, no matter how close the parts are. As, such all the parts of plant are necessary to be considered useful as its contained different components.

Piper guineese (Piperaceae) seed are locally used after childbirth to facilitate the removal of clotted blood. The present study evaluated the in vitro antioxidants, membrane stability, thrombolytic and erythrocytes protective activities of piper guineense (Ashanti) seed extract. 100 g of Piper guineese seed was pulverized and dissolved in 500 ml of distilled water for 24 hours. The extract obtained was concentrated using a rotary evaporator. The IC 50 for 2,2diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activities of the seed and utylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were 2.82 and 1.39 mg/ml. Furthermore, IC 50 for total antioxidant capacity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities of the seed and BHT were 2.63, 1.28 mg/ml and 2.13 and 1.61 mg/ml respectively. The IC 50 values for hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and nitric oxide reducing power were 3.145, 1.75 mg/ml and 7.37, 2.32 mg/ml respectively. However, no significant difference were found in ferric ion reducing properties of the extract and BHT with IC 50 values of 2.06 and 2.53 mg/ml respectively. The extract expresses 38.94±4.89% erythrocyte lysis activities at a concentration of 100 µg/ml. Thrombolytic activity of the seed (10.08%) was comparable to BHT (11.43%) and lower compared with acetylsalicylic acid (94.05%) and streptokinase (67.10%). The extract significantly (p<0.05) inhibited (29.58%) hypotonic solution-induced erythrocyte membrane lysis when compared to BHT (38.859%) and NaCl control (100%) respectively. The highest erythrocytes protection of the extract was 36.24% compared with Phosphate Buffer Saline (66.94%) and BHT (47.76%). The study demonstrated the in vitro antioxidant properties and erythrocyte protective activities of aqueous extracts of Piper guineese seeds.