Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Phytochemicals in Methanolic Extracts of Hurricane Weed (Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. &Thonn) Plant

Abstract

The phytocomponents of the leaf and root extracts of Phyllanthus amarus (Euphorbiaceae) were studied. The constituents of the leaves and roots were identified and quantified by using GC-MS. Result from the phytochemical analyses showed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenolics, anthocyanins, and glycosides in both leaves and root of the plant. Alkaloids and triterpenoids were, however only absent in the root of P. amarus but present in the leaves of the plant. Flavonoids, coumarins and steroids were absent in the leaves but present in the root part. The mean concentration of the phytochemicals investigated in leaves are 0.73±0.01%, 1.85±0.03%, 1.12±0.01%, 1.80±0.01%, 1.59±0.50%, 0.13±0.10%, and 0.86±0.01%, for saponins, tannins, phenolics, anthocyanins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, and glycosides respectively, while the mean concentration of the phytochemicals investigated in roots are 0.91±0.01%, 1.53±0.03%, 0.70±0.01%, 2.97±0.10%, 2.47±0.03%, 0.62±0.01%, 0.90±0.01% and 2.02±0.10% for saponins, tannins, phenolics, steroids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, glycosides and coumarins respectively. Furthermore, the GC-MS analysis of methanol extracts of the leaves and root of P. amarus revealed the presence of three medicinally important bioactive compounds, which are: 9-Octadecenoic acid which has percentage of abundance of 92.23% and 82.46% in leaves and roots of the plant respectively, followed by n-Hexadecanoic acid and Tetradecanoic acid with their corresponding percentage of abundance of 7.7% and 17.54% for leaves and root. These analytical results suggest the plantto possess a significant role in phyto-medicine. The importance of this plant was discussed in line with the role they play in ethnomedicinal life of the people.
 Keywords: Phyllanthus amarus; Phytochemicals; GC-MS; methanolic extract; Phytocomponents

Ethnobotanical Review of Selected Medicinal Plants in Guam for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Ailments and Their Pharmacological Properties

“…Ajayi et al [48] analyzed multiple bioactive compounds in mg/100 g of leaf extract as phenol ( (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-nitro-(12.68%), hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (12.63%), beta tocopherol (12.63%), and phytol (12.61%). The phytochemical concentrations in its leaves are 0.73 ± 0.01%, 1.85 ± 0.03%, 1.12 ± 0.01%, 1.80 ± 0.01%, 1.59 ± 0.50%, 0.13 ± 0.10%, and 0.86 ± 0.01%, for saponins, tannins, phenolics, anthocyanins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, and glycosides, respectively, while in the roots, they are are 0.91 ± 0.01%, 1.53 ± 0.03%, 0.70 ± 0.01%, 2.97 ± 0.10%, 2.47 ± 0.03%, 0.62 ± 0.01%, 0.90 ± 0.01%, and 2.02 ± 0.10% for saponins, tannins, phenolics, steroids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, glycosides, and coumarins, respectively [26]. The bioactive compounds of P. amarus retain multiple pharmacological activities including antiviral, antibacterial, antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective nephroprotective, and diuretic properties [30].…”

“…Leaves and roots: saponins, tannins, phenolics, anthocyanins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, and glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, and coumarins [26].…”

Assessment of the Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Properties of Oils from Dura and Tenera Varieties of Elaeis guineensis Fruits

“…Glycoside content was estimated according to the method described by Ameen et al [15]. Ten millilitres of the sample was dispensed into a 250 ml conical flask.…”

“…The steroid content was estimated using the procedures described by Ameen et al [15]. A portion (0.05g) of the sample extract was weighed into a 100ml beaker.…”

“…The coumarin content was estimated using the method as described by Ameen et al [15]. A portion (0.5 ml) of 5N NaOH was added to the solution of 1 ml of the extract (0.5g in 1 ml of methanol).…”