Chemical Characterization of Two Mistletoe Plants Found in NISLT, Samonda, Ibadan Premises

Abstract

This study investigated the chemical composition of two mistletoe leaves for its ascribed folkloric medicinal uses. The mistletoe leaves used for this research was harvested from Neem plant and Fig plant. Proximate analyses, phytochemical screening, Elemental and antioxidant analysis were carried out on both leaves. Alkaloids, saponin, cardioglycosides, Flavonoids, and steroids varied between mistletoe leaves obtained from Neem and fig trees. Saponins, steroids, and cardio glycosides have higher values in mistletoe of Neem. The concentration of Calcium, magnesium and potassium were high in the mistletoe of Neem. Copper, sodium and chromium was not detected in mistletoe of Fig, while it is present in low concentration in the mistletoe of Neem. The differences in the levels of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate in the two botanicals under investigation revealed that Mistletoe of Neem has superior antioxidant properties compared to Mistletoe of fig. Mistletoe of Neem contain higher quantities of most of the secondary metabolites therefore, it may be of more pharmacological and nutritional value than mistletoe on fig, thus could have more medicinal and industrial values.