© 2012 ISPROMS ISSN : 1994-5108 vol.5 Issue 2 PHYTOCHEMICAL AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA || Ekpo et al.
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World Journal of Biological Research
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Revue Mondiale de la Recherche Biologique
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World Journal of Biological Research OO5: 2
Phytochemical and comparative studies of the stem bark and root of Xylopia
aethiopica (Dunal.) A. Rich
Ekpo I. A.1,2, Agbor R. B.*1, Osuagwu A. N.1, Ekanem B. E.1,3, Okpako E. C.1
and Urua I. S.1
1-Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State,
Nigeria
2-Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Lafia, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
3-Department of Science Technology, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua.
Abstract
The ethanolic extracts of the stem bark and root of Xylopia aethiopica were used for the study.
Preliminary phytochemicals present were quantified using standard procedures. The result of the
screening of the two samples showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins,
terpenes, steroids and cardiac glycosides and both samples tested negative for anthraquinones.
The result indicates that alkaloids and cardiac glycosides in the root were significantly (p<0.05)
higher than those of stem bark while the phenol content in the stem bark was significantly (p<0.05)
higher than that of the roots. No significant (p>0.05) difference were observed between the
flavonoid content of the samples. The plant parts investigated in this work should be seen as a
potential source of useful drugs.
Key words: X. aethiopica, Phytochemical analysis, Root and Stem bark
Corresponding author: [email protected]
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© 2012 ISPROMS ISSN : 1994-5108 vol.5 Issue 2 PHYTOCHEMICAL AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA || Ekpo et al.
Introduction
Plants have been used for nutritional and
therapeutic purposes and their uses are as old as the
history of man. Xylopia aethiopica is a plant used as both
spice and medicine. Spices are defined by Corn (1990) as
dried seeds, fruits, roots, barks, leaves or vegetable
substances used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as
food additives for the purpose of flavor, colour or as
preservatives that kill harmful bacteria or prevent their
growth. Medicinal plants on the other hand, are plants
whose one or more of their organs contain substances that
can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are
precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs (Sofowara,
1982). It has been reported by locals that Xylopia
aethiopica is very potent for curing several ailments such
as cough, rheumatism, and nerve pains. Further evidence
has it that the fruits are widely used to prepare pepper
soup for nursing mothers to accelerate blood flow leading
to the elimination of blood clots form her blood system
(Inyang, 2003). Xylopia aethiopica finds extensive use in
traditional medicine and where the morphological parts of
the plants ranging from the root through the bark to the
leaves, fruit and seeds (Irvine, 1961). However, with the
rising cost of imported medication, to the extent that
government cannot meet the demands of the people,
medicinal plants should be continually evaluated and
developed from our own indigenous plant genetic
resources for the improvement and sustenance of human
health. Several studies have been carried out on the
extractable essential oils of the fruits, seeds, leaves, roots
and stem bark of Xylopia aethiopica but no research have
been reported on the ethanolic extracts of the stem bark
and root. The studied is aimed at examining the
phytochemical component of the plant.
Preliminary phytochemical screening of bioactive
agents of the ethanolic extracts of the stem bark and root
was performed using standard methods of Harborned
(1973), Evans (2002), Sofowara (1993).
Tests for alkaloids
About 0.5g of each extract was stirred with 5ml of
5% aqueous HCl on water bath; and filtered; 1ml of the
filterate was treated with a few drops of Dragendorff’s
reagent. Precipitation or turbidity was taken as preliminary
evidence for the presence of alkaloids in the extract being
evaluated (Harborned, 1973).
Tests for saponins
The method described by Wall et al (1952) was
used. About 0.5g of each plant extract was shaken with
10ml of distilled water in a test tube. Frothing which
persists on warming was taken as preliminary evidence for
the presence of saponins.
Tests for flavonoids
About 0.5g of each extract was stirred with few
drops of Mg strips and conc. HCl was then added. A
reddish colouration indicates a positive test for flavonoids
(Sofowara, 1993).
Tests for tannins
About 5g of each portion of plant extract was
stirred with 10ml of distilled water, filtered and ferric
chloride reagent, added to the filtrate. A blue black, green
or blue-green precipitate was taken as evidence for the
presence of tannins (Evan, 2002).
Materials and methods
Tests for free anthraquinones
This work was carried out in the Pharmacognosy
laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
The stem bark and root of Xylopia aethiopica were
purchased from Urua-Affiong Etuk market L.G.A of AkwaIbom State. These plant materials were identified and
authenticated in Pharmacognosy laboratory, Faculty of
Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria. The stem bark and
root were sun-dried and pulverized separately into fine
powder. The ethanolic extracts were obtained exhaustively
using Rotary soxhlet extractor. The extracts obtained were
concentrated and weighed (50g of each sample). It was the
labeled appropriately and stored in the refrigerator at 40C
until it was used for phytochemical screening and other
studies.
Borntrager’s test was used for the detection of
anthraquinones. 5g of each plant extract was shaken with
10ml benzene, filtered and 5ml of 10% ammonia solution
added to the filtrate. The mixture was shaken and the
presence of a pink, red or violet colour in the ammoniacal
(lower) phase indicated the presence of free hydroxylanthraquinones (Evans, 2002).
Tests for combined anthraquinones
5g of each plant extract was boiled with 10ml of
10% aqueous sulphuric acid and filtered while hot. The
filtrate was shaken with 5ml of benzene, the benzene layer
separated and half its own volume of 10% ammonia
solution added. A pink, red or violet colouration in the
Qualitative screening
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© 2012 ISPROMS ISSN : 1994-5108 vol.5 Issue 2 PHYTOCHEMICAL AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA || Ekpo et al.
ammonia phase (lower layer) indicated the presence of
anthraquinone derivatives in the extract (Evans, 2002)
Tests for terpenes
0.5g of each extract was added to chloroform
and filtered. 10 drops acetic anhydride was added to the
filtrate with two drops conc. H2SO4. A light green ring at the
interface indicated the presence of terpenes (Harborned,
1973).
Tests for steroids
0.5g of each dissolved in 2ml of chloroform.
Sulphuric acid was carefully added to form a lower layer. A
reddish brown colour at the interface indicated the
presence of a steroidal ring (Evans, 2002).
Tests for Cardiac glycosides (Keller kiliani’s test)
This was then underplayed with 1ml of conc. sulphuric
acid. A brown ring obtained at the interface indicated the
presence of deoxy-sugar characteristic of cardenolides. A
violet ring appear below the brown ring while in the acetic
layer, a greenish ring may form just above the brown ring
and gradually spread throughout this layer (Evans, 2002).
Quantitative phytochemical screening
The following parameters were determined:
alkaloid, flavonoid, phenols, glycosides using the method of
Harborned (1973)
Statistical analysis
Data obtained were subjected to 2x4 factorial,
CRD experiment and means separated using least
significant differences (LSD).
0.5g of the extract was dissolved in 2ml of glacial
acetic acid containing one drop of ferric chloride solution.
Result and Discussion
Table 1: Quantitative screening of Xylopia aethiopica
Parameters
Alkaloids
Flavonoids
Phenols
Cardiac glycosides
Stem bark
5.22f±0.22
4.13g±0.13
31.19b±0.72
24.33c±0.67
Root
6.22e±0.11
4.13g±0.14
8.93d±0.23
39.33a±1.34
Mean followed with the same superscript along each horizontal array indicate no significant difference (p > 0.05).
Table 2: Qualitative phytochemical screening of Xylopia aethiopica
Parameters
Alkaloids
Saponins
Flavonoids
Tannins
Free anthraquinone
Combine anthraquinone
Terpenes
Steroids
Cardiac glycosides
Stem bark
+++
+++
++
+++
+
++
++
Root
++
++
++
++
+++
+++
++
+++ high concentration
++
moderately present
+
trace concentration
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© 2012 ISPROMS ISSN : 1994-5108 vol.5 Issue 2 PHYTOCHEMICAL AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA || Ekpo et al.
-
Negativ
Discussion
The phytochemical screening of the chemical
constituents of the Xylopia aethiopica part revealed that
both contained alkaloids, saponins, flavonids, tannins,
terpenes, steroids and cardiac glycosides but free and
combined anthraquinones were not detected. In quantity,
alkaloids in the roots were significantly higher than the
percentage content found in the stem bark, flavonoids were
of equal amount, phenols in the stem bark were
significantly (p<0.05) higher than phenols present in the
root while cardiac glycosides were found to be higher in the
root than in the stem bark. The presence of flavonoids in
the stem bark and root supports the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-tumour activities reported by Fleischer
(2003). Steroidal compounds were found in the ethanolic
extract of the stem bark and roots of X. aethiopica.
steroidal compounds are of importance and interest in
pharmacy due to their relationship with such compounds as
sex hormones
(2001). The anti-pyretic effect and
analgesic activity of the plant parts studied reveal the
presence of alkaloids. Clarence (1980) reported that
Anonecaine, an alkaloid constituent of X. aethiopica is
known to have anti-pyretic effect (fever reducing effect) and
this also corresponds to the bitter taste and analgesic
property of samples used in the present study this is due to
their ability to impart a bitter- taste to the tongue (Harborne,
1973) and to relieve pain. Phenols present could also be
said to have played an active role in the anti- microbial and
anti-pyretic activities of the plant parts. The presence of
tannins in the stem bark and root supported the findings of
Thomas (1965). Tannins could also contribute to the bitter
taste of the plant parts. The presence of terpenes has also
been reported by many researchers. The presence of
terpenes supported the finding of Iwu’s (1993) on the
chemical constituents of the essential oils of organs of X.
aethiopica where he isolated monoterpenes and
sesquiterpenes. The results of these finding suggest that
the oils of the fruits, leaves, stem and root contribute
significantly to the anti-microbial properties of the plant
parts and give credence to the use of these parts in the
disease condition cited in the work.
Harborne, J. B 1973. Phytochemical methods: A guide to
modern technique of plant analysis. Charpman
and Hall, London. pp 1-30
Sofowara, A.,1993. screening plants for bioactive agents.
In: medicinal plants and traditional medicine in
Africa. (2nd edn.) spectrum books Ltd. Sunshine
house, Ibadan; Nigeria, pp 81-93
Thomas, S. G., 1965. Chemical basis of drug action in:
drug plants of Africa. Publications of university
of pennsylavanus, pp 120-135
Wall, M.E., Eddy, C.R., McClenna, M.L and Klump, M.E.,
1952. Detection and estimation of steroid
saponins in plant tissue, Anal. Chem, 24, 1337.
Sofowara, E.A., 1982. Medicinal plants and traditional
medicine in Africa. John wiley and sons, New York. Pp
1-10.
Clarence, T. V., 1980. Volatile oils in remington’s
pharmaceutical sciences. 17th edn. Merch publishing
company, Easton Pennsylvania, pp 834-56.
Iwu, M., Duncan, A., Okunji, C., 1999. New antimicrobials
of plant origin. In: janick, J (ed.). perspectives in new crops
and new uses. ASHS press, Alexandria, VA. Pp 564-582.
References
Corn, C., 1999. Scents of eden: a history of the spice
trade.New York: Kondasha.
Evans, W.C., 2002. Trease & Evans pharmacognosy,
15th edn. W.R. sauders, London. pp 137-140
Inyang, E., 2003. Ethnobotany: conventional and
traditional uses of plants. Vol.a. the verdict
press, Akwa ibom state
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