ABSTRACT
Studies were conducted to evaluate the bioactive and nutritional contents of Adenostemma mauritianium DC leaf. The phytochemical studies confirms the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, saponnins, flavonoids and terpenes while anthraquinones, phlobataanins and cyanogenetic glycoside were absent. The proximate composition revealed that Adenostemma mauritianium contains high amount of protein (29.05±0.03%) and carbohydrates (40.3±0.07%). The mineral elements analysis showed that the leaf is rich in iron (2844±0.08%). The amount of antinutrients were high (Hydrrocyanide 79.15±0.21mg/100g) but were below toxic level. It can be concluded that the leaf of Adenostemma mauritianium can be seen as potential source of useful items for food and raw materials for drugs formulation. Thus provides the pharmacological basis for the folklonic usage of this plant leaf to cure skin diseases.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract v
Table of contents vi
List of tables ix
CHAPTER ONE 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Botanical Description and Ethnomedicine of Adenostemma mauritianum (DC) 4
1.2.1 Scientific Classification: 4
1.2.2 General characteristics of Adenostemma Mauritanium DC: 6
1.2.3 Cultivation 6
1.2.4 Phytochemical Information 7
1.3 Statement of the Problem 8
1.4 Significance of the Study 9
1.5 Aims and Objectives of the Study 10
CHAPTER TWO 11
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 11
2.1 Metabolites of A. mauritanum (DC) 11
2.2 Economic importance of A. mauritanum (DC) 12
2.3 Ecological Distribution of A. mauritanum (DC) 13
2.4 Phytochemistry of A. mauritanum (DC) 14
2.4.1 Flavanoids and Terpenes 16
2.4.2 Saponins 18
2.4.3 Tannins 19
2.4.4 Terpenoids 21
2.4.5 Alkaloids 22
2.4.6 Phenols 23
2.5 Mineral Elements 24
2.5.1 Iron 24
2.5.2 Zinc 27
2.5.3 Copper 29
2.5.4 Manganese 32
CHAPTER THREE 35
MATERIALS AND METHODS 35
3.1 Materials 35
3.2 Reagents: 35
3.3 Collection of samples 36
3.4 Sample preparation 36
3.5 Phytochemical screening 36
3.5.1 Qualitative Analysis 37
3.6 Data Analysis 48
CHAPTER FOUR 49
DATA PRESENTATION AND RESULTS 49
4.1 Qualitative Analysis 49
CHAPTER FIVE 53
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION 53
5.1 Discussion 53
5.2 Conclusions 56
5.3 Recommendation 57
References 58
LIST OF TABLES
Table
4.1: Result of Phytochemical Screening of Adenostemma mauritianum leaf 50
4.2: Result of Proximate Composition of Adenostemma mauritianum leaf 51
4.3: Determination of the Mineral Content of Adenostemma mauritianum leaf 52
4.4: Determination of the Anti-nutrient Composition of Adenostemma mauritianum leaf 52
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Traditional Medicine is a part of African culture and is intricately linked with African World view. The WHO defines traditional medicine as the sum of practices, measures, ingredients and procedures which, from time immemorial, have enabled the African to guard against disease, to alleviate his suffering and to cure himself. Healing practices in African countries vary widely according to their specific sociocultural heritage (Onwuanibe, 1979). The modern health care system based on western science and technology is of recent origin in the greater part of the third World. In Africa, its use dates back to the late nineteenth century, the period of colonialism and Christianisation, and the rise of capitalism. With the advent of early missionaries in Africa, it was believed that African people could be won by demonstrating the superiority of western medicine compared to traditional medicine. (Rappaport, 1980).
Conscious efforts to spread the orthodox medicine to indigenous population was made during post-independence era through health centres and hospitals. Traditional African medical system survived due to the fact that, they satisfied four basic user requirements; accessibility, availability, acceptability and dependability. Even where biomedical health care facilities were physically present, actual utilization patterns indicate that, biomedicine is not preferred for many illnesses, even for common events such as childbirth (Nchinda, 1976). 8 Although, consultation with a traditional healer tends to diminish, due to urbanization, their influence runs very deep, and at times of stress, even the most westernized African people seek them. Students and hospital workers in some countries still maintain their belief in the spiritual causation of certain illnesses, and how they are best treated by traditional priests, priestesses or in Christian spiritual churches. Similarly, educated people residing in urban areas continue to consult traditional practitioners. Demands for their services may increase with modernization, since healers are skilled in helping people to cope with the psychological and social stresses that often accompany rapid social and economic change. While the limits of modern medicine and the efficacy of traditional healing, to some extent been accepted in academic circles, the science of modern system of medicine is progressing, while the indigenous system is associated with ignorance and backwardness (Bourdillon, 1989).
Phytochemical is a natural bioactive compound in plants such as vegetable, fruit, medicinal plants, flowers, leaves and roots that work the nutrients and fiber to act as a defense system against disease or more accurately, to protect against disease. Phytochemicals are divided into two groups, which are primary and secondary constituent; according to their functions in plant metabolism. Primary constituent according to their functions in plant metabolism. Primary constituents comprise common sugar; amino acid, protein and chlorophyll while secondary constituent consist of alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds (Krishnaiah et al; 2007) and many more such as flavonoids and tannins.
The active ingredients of plants that can provide effective therapeutic potential can occur in all plant structures but concentration is often higher in one part, such part is preferred. Examples include roots, flower, fruit, leaves, bark of the stem and seeds (Akinleye et al., 1996). Natural products are chemical compounds obtained from plants, animals and insects as well as a plethora of other living organisms. The study on natural products encompasses the investigation into their molecular structure, biogenesis, and biological functions in the organism, therapeutic applications and other uses. Studies on natural products have become more and more important with the realization that plants provide a source of useful chemicals that may be used directly or as templates for the development of drugs useful for defense or protection against various diseases. They are also useful as nutraceuticals and health foods or supplements to promote good health and growth (Akinleye et al., 1996).
Proximate analyses of plants play a crucial role in assessing their nutritional significance. Carbohydrates, fats, fibre and protein are the essential nutrients of life. The quality and quantity of proteins in the plants parts are basic factors and important for the selection of plants for nutritive value, systematic classification and plant improvement programs (Nisar et al., 2009). As various medicinal plant species are also used as food along with their medicinal benefits, evaluating their nutritional significance can help to understand the worth of these plants species (Pandey et al., 2006).
1.2 Botanical Description and Ethnomedicine of Adenostemma mauritianum (DC)
Adenostemma mauritianum belongs to the family Asteraceae this is an annual herb usually branced, erect or creeping with ugly and white florets. This is widely seen in wild coastal area of West Africa (Hutchinson and Dalziel, 1984). In the South-south Nigeria, it is employed in various ethnomedicine. The use in many from ailment such as diabetes, wounds skin infections, small pox, chicken pox, rashes, archeries, fever, rheumatism and headaches among others. Some closely related species such as Adenostemma caffrum have been reported for the rheumatism (Boquest and Debray; 1974, Bunlull, 1985).
1.2 Scientific Classification:
❏ Kingdom: Plantae
❏ Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
❏ Superdivision: Spermatophyta
❏ Division; Magnoliophyta
❏ Class: Magnoliopsida
❏ Subclass: Asteridae
❏ Order: Asterales
❏ Family: Asteraceae
❏ Genus: Adenostemma
❏ Species: Adenostemma Mauritanium D
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Indigenous communities have for a long time incorporated the use of traditional medicine, mainly from plant sources in the cure or lessening of impact of common ailments. In Nigeria, quite a number of plants used in folklore medicine have been identified and application of their crude extracts documented (Kokwaro, 2009). However, determining their active principles, efficacy, nutritive value and mechanism of their action have been reported only to a small extent. In fact, only some aspect of phytochemical analysis has been done which involves isolation of active compounds used as antibacterial, anti-inflammation, antiplasmodial and antioxidants (Gathirwa et al., 2008).
Previous studies majored on isolation, purification and characterization of specific phytochemicals, little work had been done on micronutrients and proximate constituents. Current study focused on partitioning of phytochemicals, micronutrients and proximate constituents on selected medicinal plants. It is therefore, of great importance to carry out proximate, micronutrients and phytochemical analysis on medicinal plants such as Adenostemma mauritianum. The determination of proximate, micronutrients and phytochemical constituents which the study focused on would enhance treatment of diseases, improve nutritional and provide scientific data for future reference (Newman et al., 2003; Pandey et al., 2006; Wood and Ronnenberg, 2006).
1.4 Significance of the Study
The use of medicinal plants as food alternative and medicine traces back to ancient human civilization. The study aimed to assess the nutritional significance of Adenostemma mauritanum (DC) which is an economically important medicinal plant. The determination of proximate, micronutrients and phytochemicals constituents and ascertaining their existence proved that the medicinal plants investigated could be used to improve nutrition and also used as medicine. In addition, the study was very important, because it provided important information about the contents of the Adenostemma mauritanum (DC) leaves which were investigated in the study. The study also provided scientific data which would be of particular importance for the local practitioners as well as for the local people using these herbs for treating a variety of body ailments.
