Phytochemical analysis of six anti-venom medicinal plants

Abstract

This present investigation was conducted to identify and screen the most common medicinal plants used to treat snake bites in Ankpa local government area of Kogi state, Nigeria. After an ethnobotanical survey, only the roots of six medicinal plants were analysed for their qualitative and quantitative phytochemical properties. Roots were pulverised and extracted using methanol solvent. Alkaloids were investigated using Mayer and Dragndorff test; Tannins -Ferric-Chloride test; Total Phenol -Dennis test; Glycosides -Fehling A and B test; Saponins -Frothing test; Flavonoids -NaOH-HCl test; and quantitative constituents were identified using spectrophotometric method. The phytochemical screening indicated the existence of different classes of secondary metabolites, specifically alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, total phenols and glycosides, at different levels. Statistical analysis was investigated by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and the means were distingushed according to Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% probability level. Alkaloid contents obtained were 0.5mg/g, 0.8mg/g, 0.8mg/g, 0.5mg/g, 0.6mg/g, 2.2mg/g of the extract; Flavonoids -20.8mg/g, 42.2mg/g, 30.9mg/g, 20.7mg/g, 30.5mg/g, 23.6mg/g of the extract; Saponins -16.5mg/g, 23.1mg/g, 29.6mg/g, 18.8mg/g, 28.8mg/g, 20.7mg/g of the extract; Tannins -22.8mg/g, 32.7mg/g, 34.4mg/g, 10.6mg/g, 28.8mg/g, 30.2mg/g of the extract; Total phenols -710.4mg/g, 704.2mg/g, 715.6mg/g, 719.6mg/g, 719.7mg/g, 718.1mg/g of the extract for the six medicinal plants Annona senegalensis, Khaya senegalensis, Uvaria chamae, Lophira lanceolata, Phyllanthus muellerianus and Securidaca longipedunculata respectively. The results of the study revealed the presence of valuable bioactive compounds with medicinal properties in the aqueous and organic solvent extracts of these plants. Thus, supporting their use in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, such as snakebites.

Total Phenolic, Flavonoid Content, Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Donax grandis (Miq.)Ridl.

“…Saponin may also lower blood cholesterol levels (Egbuna & Ifemeje, 2016) by combining with cholesterol to form insoluble complexes that are passed out of the body through the bile. Cholesterol reabsorption is inhibited by it, which results in lower serum cholesterol (Krishnaiah et al, 2009). In addition, antifungal and antiviral effects are also attributed to the saponins (Mengoni et al, 2002).…”

“…Phytochemical tests are conducted on the aqueous extract of each plant sample and also on the powdered form of the plant samples using standard methods as described by Krishnaiah et al (2009) with slight modifications. The extracts obtained were submitted to six qualitative phytochemical screenings for tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides, as described by Krishnaiah et al (2009). The stock solution of the aqueous extract (1 mg/mL) of D. grandis was prepared and used for phytochemicals screening.…”

PHYTOCHEMICAL, PROXIMATE AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ANALYSES OF Ageratum conyzoides LEAF

“…Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis using different reagents and test procedures was carried out according to Sofowora (2008) and Krishnaiah et al, (2009).…”

Proximate Composition, Levels of Some Essential Mineral Elements and Anti-Nutritional Components of Some Yam Species Found in Minna, Niger State

“…This was accomplished utilizing the method described by Krishnaiah et al (2009). 0.50 g of the sample was boiled for 4 hours in a 20.00 cm 3 of 1 mol/dm -3 HCl solution.…”