Phytochemical Composition of Combretum molle (R. Br. ex G. Don.) Engl. & Diels Leaf and Stem Extracts

Abstract

The demand for medicinal plants is on a rise due to their affordability, accessibility and relatively non-toxic nature. Combretum molle (Combretaceae) is used in African traditional medicine to treat a number of diseases. This study aimed to screen the phytochemical composition of the hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts of C. molle leaves and stems using qualitative phytochemical screening. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the functional phytochemical groups, determine the elemental composition and provide a fluorescence characterization of the powdered leaves and stems by performing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalyses and fluorescence microscopy. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins, phytosterols, gums, mucilage, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins within all leaf and stem extracts. Lipids and fixed oils were additionally present within the methanol extracts. FTIR demonstrated significant peaks in absorption frequency in the leaf at wavelengths of 3283.18, 2917.81, 1617.72, 1318.83, 1233.97, 1032.32 and 521.38 cm−1, and in the stem at 3318.91, 1619.25, 1317.13, 1032.68, 780.86 and 516.39 cm−1. These corresponded to the functional groups of chemical compounds including alcohols, phenols, primary amines, alkyl halides, alkanes and alkyl aryl ethers, corroborating the presence of the detected phytochemicals within the plant. EDX microanalyses showed the elemental composition of the powdered leaves (68.44% C, 26.72% O, 1.87% Ca, 0.96% Cl, 0.93% Mg, 0.71% K, 0.13% Na, 0.12 % Mn and 0.10% Rb) and stems (54.92% C, 42.86% O, 1.7% Ca, 0.43% Mg and 0.09% Mn). Fluorescence microscopy provided a characteristic evaluation of the plant in its powdered form and revealed distinct colour changes in the material when treated with various reagents and viewed under ultraviolet light. In conclusion, the phytochemical constituents of the leaves and stems of C. molle confirm the suitability of this species for use in traditional medicine. The findings from this study suggest the need to validate the use of C. molle in the development of modern medicines.

Invitro antibacterial activity of bark, leaf and root extracts of combretum molle plant against streptococcus equi isolated from clinical cases of strangles in donkeys and horses

“…The variation in the bacterial isolate and the method could also be the cause of the disparity in MIC values. As reported by Darmasu, K. et al (2020) and Parusnath M., et al (2023); C. molle contains different biologically active phytochemical compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and steroids so that the antimicrobial activities of plants could be related to these phytochemical constituents ( 20 , 21 , and 39 ).…”

“…Phytochemical screening studies of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins, phytosterols, gums, mucilage, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins [ 20 , 21 ]. Studies focusing mainly on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the plant’s stem bark extract ( 19 , 22 , 23 , and 24 ) and antibacterial and antifungal properties of the leaf extracts have demonstrated the plant’s potent antibacterial and antifungal properties.…”

Phytochemical Screening, GCMS Profiling, In Vitro Antioxidant, In Vivo Acute Toxicity, and Hepatoprotective Activity of Cleome simplicifolia Bioactive Metabolites against Paracetamol-Intoxicated Wister Albino Rats

“…Moreover, these elements are key characteristics responsible for setting (of seeds and fruits), transportation (of carbohydrates, calcium, and hormones), and development (of tissues, roots, flowers, and cell walls), and other activities [56]. Despite playing a characteristic position in plant growth and development, the consumption of plants enriched with essential mineral elements by humans promotes metabolic processes, meets nutritive requirements, and contributes to mankind's medicinal properties [57].…”