Evaluation of the chemical composition of two Nigerian medicinal plants

Abstract

Nigerian medicinal plants (Aspilia africana and Bryophyllum
\npinnatum ) were analyzed for their chemical composition,
\nvitamins and minerals. The results revealed the presence of bioactive
\nconstituents comprising alkaloids (1.24 to 1.48 mg/100 g), saponins
\n(1.46 to 1.72 mg/100 g), flavonoids (1.46 to 1.86 mg/100 g), phenols
\n(0.06 mg/100g) and tannins (0.04 to 0.5 mg/100g). The medicinal plants
\ncontained ascorbic acid (26.42 to 44.03 mg/100 g), riboflavin (0.20 to
\n0.42 mg/100 g), thiamine (0.11 to 0.18 mg/100 g), and niacin (0.02 to
\n0.09 mg/100 g). These herbs are good sources of minerals such as Ca, P,
\nK, Mg, Na, Fe and Zn. The importance of these chemical constituents is
\ndiscussed with respect to the role of these herbs in ethnomedicine in
\nNigeria.