Phytochemical Screening of Some Plants used in the Treatment of Gastroenteritis (Kurga) and Fungus Rash (Amakiakia) in Plateau State
Chundusu E. S.; Ajayi O. R.; Chup J. A. & Daniel V. N.
Department of Science,
Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi
Email: chundusu2001@yahoo.com
Corresponding Author: Chundusu E. S.
ABSTRACT
‘Kurga’ and ‘Amakiakia’ are two common children diseases that have been claiming lives of children on the Plateau. Most parents resulted to using some plants found in the area for the treatment of these illnesses without any available data of the composition of the plants. In an attempt to establish the pharmacological rational for the traditional use of Parkia biglobosa, Acalypha amentacea and Khaya senegalensis seed oil for the effective management of several illnesses including gastroenteritis (kurga) and fungi rash (Amakiakia), the stem-bark of Parkia biglobosa, leaves of Acalypha amentacea and Khaya senegalensis seed oil were subjected to phytochemical screening using the standard method. This qualitative analysis revealed that Acalypha amentacea leaves contained saponins, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and terpenes. The stem-bark extract of Parkia biglobosa contained saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides and flavonoids. The Khaya senegalenis seed oil contains steroids, cardiac glycosides and terpenes. Acalypha amentacea contained most of the phytochemicals analyzed while Khaya senegalensis seed oil contained the least. All these plants contain bioactive compounds that could have been responsible for their pharmacological effects in the treatment of gastroenteritis (kurga) and Fungus rash (Amakiakia). The result of this study has shown that these plants can be seen as a potential source of useful drugs; a mixture of two or the three may be more effective in the treatment. Therefore, further work should be carried out on the Isolation, quantification and purification of active constituents of interest.
Keywords: Kurga, Amakiakia, Gastroenteritis, Fungus Rash, Phytochemical Screening
