Plants Composition and Identification of Phytocomponents in a Polyherbal Formulation used in Southeast Nigeria
1Ijioma, S. N., 2Osim, E. E., 3Nwankwo, A. A., 1Nwosu, C. O., 1Nwankudu, O. N.; 1Igwe, K.K. & 4Nwawuba, I. N.
1Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State
2Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Calabar, Cross River State
3Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu
4Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State
Email: ijiomasolo@yahoo.co.uk
Corresponding Author:Ijioma, S. N.
ABSTRACT
A polyherbal formulation (Ajumbaise) used in southeast Nigeria was screened for its plants composition and presence of phytochemical substances by Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Results obtained showed that the formulation is made up of six different plants in varying percentage compositions including Barteria fistulosa (34.97%), Napoleona vogelli (23.72%), Euphorbia convolvuloids (3.72), Spondias mombine (11.45%), Uvaria chamae (10.09%) and Ceiba petandra (16.60%). Extract yield for the polyherbal as a unit was 17.38% while for individual plants compositions the yields were Barteri fistulosa (32.40%), Napoleona vogelli (31.60%), Euphorbia convolvuloids (15.00%), Spondias mombine (29.00%), Uvaria chamae (10.20%) and Ceiba petandra (7.72%).Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the polyherbal extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, terpenes, phenolic compounds and alkaloids in high quantities. Saponins and tannins were present in moderate quantities while glycoside was found in small quantity. GC-MS chromatogram of the polyherbal extract showed sixteen peaks indicating presence of sixteen phytochemical constituents including Methyl (2)-3-cyanoprop-2-enoate (1.22%), 2-Ethyl-2-hexen-1-al (0.80%), 1,3-oxazolidine-2-thione (2.54%), Benzyl benzoate (2.71%), Methyl 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2 methyl propanoate (5.00%), Hexa decanoic acid also known as Palmitic acid (32.65%), Ethyl palmitate (6.74%), S-methyl-L-cysteine (3.49%), Niacin or nicotinic acid (6.96%), N-(furan-3-yl) acetamide (10.60%), Stearic acid or n-Octadecanoic acid (12.34%), and Pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (1.94%). Others are Pyroglutamic acid (0.91%), Pyroglutamic acid (0.91%), ρ-nitrocinnamic acid, methyl ester (1.42%), 17-carboxyheptadec-9-en-1-ylium (7.10%) and 20-carboxydodec-8-en-1-ylium (3.58%). We therefore conclude that Ajumbaise polyherbal formulation is made up of 6 different medicinal plants and is heavily enriched with phytocomponents which may be of value as antioxidants, hypolipidaemic agents and in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords: GC-MS, Phytochemical, Polyherbal, Antioxidants
