PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT OF ETHANOL AND ETHYLACETATE EXTRACTS OF HYPTIS SUAVEOLENS AND LEONOTIS NEPETIFOLIA

PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT OF ETHANOL AND ETHYLACETATE EXTRACTS OF HYPTIS SUAVEOLENS AND LEONOTIS NEPETIFOLIA

ABSTRACT

 Phytochemical analysis of Hyptis suaveolens and Leonotis nepetifolia carried out show some important phytochemicals present in the plant extract when solvent ethanol and Ethylacetate were used. Alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids were present in solvent alcohol of the plant sample of Hyptis suaveolens while terpenoids and steroids were absent in ethyl acetate solvent. In Leonotis nepetifolia, Tannins, saponins, flavonoids were present on both solvents while Alkaloids, Terpenoids and steroids were absent but Glycosides is present in ethanol and absent in ethylacetate.  Quantitative analysis shows the presence of Alkaloids to be the highest (4.38+ 0.12). tannins to be the lowest (2.12 + 0.15) in solvent ethylacetate extract of Hyptis suaveolens, while saponins is absent but in Leonotis nepetifolia, phenols were the highest (3.21 + 0.188) in solvent ethylacetate while saponins were the lowest (0.12±0.11) but in ethanol, flavonoid were the highest (1.47 ± 0.11) and tannins were the lowest (0.11 ± 0.81).

CHAPTER ONE

 INTRODUCTION

Hyptis suaveolens is an elect annual and aromatic plant that belong to the family of Lamiacae while Leonotis nepetisfolia (L) R.Br is a wild herbaceous plant belonging to mint family of the family Lamiaceae as well. Hyptis is commonly called curry leaf and locally, in northern Nigeria as Daddoya ta daji in Hausa, Efiri in Yoruba and Tanmots wangi – eba in Nupe. It may be found in abandon farm lands in West Africa especially in Northern Nigeria (Abdulahi et al 2003). It is also found in bushes abundant in open and waste land at both low and medium altitude. The leaves of the plants are opposite and ovate, about 4 – 9cm long, with an obtus apex, bilateral base and dosiventrally arched. It has alternate and stipulate vein.  The flowers are axillary with long stalk, hairy, calyx and about 4mm long. It is striate and elect. The corolla is blue, zygomorphic and bilabiate. The stamens are four, diclinate and about 8mm long. The seeds are flat and are muchilagineous (Pankage, 2005). A decoction of leaf is use by traditional healers in Northern Nigeria, especially Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna in treatment of diabetes mellitus and fever associated with cold among others (Abdullahi et al, 2013). It is also used as an aromatic herb by traditional healers. This herb holds a reputable position among the traditional healers who are experts in the treatment of different type of cancers in Indian. Its different part are used both internally and externally for dermatitis and eczema (Pankage, 2005). The leaves of the plants have been shown to contain alkaloid, Terpenes and volatile oil (Gills, 1992).

Leonotis nepetifolia, generally grows on patches along roadside or barrren unused agricultural waste land during rainy season. The mature plant attain a height of up to 2 metres. The orange yellow coroneted verticiliated inflorescence and distinct plant odour are among the special character of this plant.

The plant is being used by the local people and tribal of Macharashtra as ethno medicine on the various ailments. The infusion of leaves is traditionally being used to cure the stomach pain of the children and also to cure cough and cold by tribes of melghat (Ms) India. This plant is also being used for its anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal properties by various communities in Indian subcontinent and also across the world. This present studies is designed to evaluate the fundamental phytochemical components of both plants.

1.1       AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine the presence of active compounds in Hyptis suaveolens and Leonotis nepetifolia used by so many tribes all over the world for traditional medicine purposes.

The following are the objectives of this research.

• To determine the presence of phytochemical present in both plants.
• To determine the amount of phytochemical present in both plants

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Some factors such as high costs, side effects and drug resistance are some challenges encountered by the continuous use of orthodox medicine. These make it necessary to sought for new sources of medicines.

1.3       JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

Since the use of plants in traditional medicine is becoming popular, Hyptis suaveolens and Leonotis nepetifolia are popular in traditional medicine practices thus this study will attempt to extract and tests for active compound in these plants so as to ascertain whether the claims made by traditional healers are pertaining to the healing potentials of these plants are true.